"pick up your cross and follow me." what did Jesus mean exactly?
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Yahchanan (John) 15:18-21, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would have loved its own. But because you are not part of the world, for I have chosen you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his ruler. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you because of My Name--for they do not know Him Who sent Me."
Revelation 13:9-10, "If any man has an ear, let him hear: He who is for captivity, will go into captivity; he who is for the sword, must be killed with the sword. Herein is the patience and the faith of the saints tested."
You should check out "Foxes Book of Martyrs" it historically records many that were killed because they followed Yahshua the Messiah. Also records 11 of 12 of the disciples and the spostle Shaul (Paul) murders. I my view a must read for all followers of Yahshua.
Foxe's Book of martyrs; : Foxe, John, 1516-1587 : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive
Also for a look into the modern version of what is to come
(there is no images of murder btw)
Police State 4: The Rise of FEMA - YouTube
Revelation 13:9-10, "If any man has an ear, let him hear: He who is for captivity, will go into captivity; he who is for the sword, must be killed with the sword. Herein is the patience and the faith of the saints tested."
You should check out "Foxes Book of Martyrs" it historically records many that were killed because they followed Yahshua the Messiah. Also records 11 of 12 of the disciples and the spostle Shaul (Paul) murders. I my view a must read for all followers of Yahshua.
Foxe's Book of martyrs; : Foxe, John, 1516-1587 : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive
Also for a look into the modern version of what is to come
(there is no images of murder btw)Police State 4: The Rise of FEMA - YouTube
S
Iv been pondering what this means and some have told me it means that being a christian isnt easy and that if were not struggling as a christian and it seems too easy, then your not doing something right. What do you guys think?
Punishment or chastisment is not only when we sin, but to remove the worldly desires, selfishness, lust, foolishness, laziness etc...some of these might not be a sin, but it is necessary to remove all these before entering the kingdom of God. God works in us, put us in hell (not literal fire) chastise us and remove all these unwanted things before our death. And that is the most difficult thing to go thru.
But by going thru these we humble our self, we realize there is nothing that we can do of our own, we depend upon God completely, becomes patient, forgiveness, love, concern for others, truthfulness all these comes in us. and the process is very very painful. But it is for our good.
If we believe we are a true follower of Jesus Christ and still we do not face any chastisement, we do not have to worry. it is definitely coming soon, its just round the corner waiting for us.
S
Iv been pondering what this means and some have told me it means that being a christian isnt easy and that if were not struggling as a christian and it seems too easy, then your not doing something right. What do you guys think?
A lot of Christian doctrine really isn't as complicated as people like to make it out to be.
Hope it helped.
Iv been pondering what this means and some have told me it means that being a christian isnt easy and that if were not struggling as a christian and it seems too easy, then your not doing something right. What do you guys think?
Matthew 7:14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Genesis 3:24After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
Matthew 3:11“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Revelation 2:7Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Iv been pondering what this means and some have told me it means that being a christian isnt easy and that if were not struggling as a christian and it seems too easy, then your not doing something right. What do you guys think?
You have to die to your former life and be born into a new life. That new life isn't an event, like the "sinner's prayer", nor baptism, etc... (Yes I know R.Catholics disagree on the baptism with me.)
The rich young ruler asked how to have eternal life. The Christ told him keep the Commandments.
The RYR said he did. Christ didn't deny him.
Christ loved this young man, by name, that was rare, another was Lazarus that he RAISED from the dead. Christ didn't let this man walk off and die as most think.
IF YOU WILL BE PERFECT YOU MUST DIE TO YOUR FORMER LIFE AND FOLLOW ME!
The word for perfect means MATURE, not UTOPIAN. The issue wasn't the man's wealth, it's that he was self provident in his own life and did not depend on Christ.
DIE to your former life and come to me broken, and a pauper, totally dependent on me, and live with/follow me dependent on me to provide for you. Give fully to me (Christ) your life so completely you can't go back.
I
Iv been pondering what this means and some have told me it means that being a christian isnt easy and that if were not struggling as a christian and it seems too easy, then your not doing something right. What do you guys think?
Matthew 11
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I found this to be a ....pleasant commentary on these verses https://bible.org/article/call-discipleship-invitation-rest-matthew-1128-30
S
I agree with everyone else here who has said it means to die to yourself and live only for Christ.
It may mean different things to different people. As an example, I'll use myself (because I can speak on that subject with at least a modicum of authority at least). For me, a physical death does not worry me as I know I am granted eternal life through Christ Jesus. However, I struggle with tithing and am worried to praise God in a work enviornment for fear of losing my job (though right now I don't have that problem as I'm unemployed lol). Those are things I must break to fulfill my obligation to Christ to pick up my cross and follow Him.
Picking up that cross and following Christ is a daily event more beautiful than any choreographed dance in the world. It's finding the weak spots in that armor Christ has given you and praying for fortification. It's asking Him to help you do what He wants because his kingdom is coming and His will will be done.
It may mean different things to different people. As an example, I'll use myself (because I can speak on that subject with at least a modicum of authority at least
). For me, a physical death does not worry me as I know I am granted eternal life through Christ Jesus. However, I struggle with tithing and am worried to praise God in a work enviornment for fear of losing my job (though right now I don't have that problem as I'm unemployed lol). Those are things I must break to fulfill my obligation to Christ to pick up my cross and follow Him. Picking up that cross and following Christ is a daily event more beautiful than any choreographed dance in the world. It's finding the weak spots in that armor Christ has given you and praying for fortification. It's asking Him to help you do what He wants because his kingdom is coming and His will will be done.
K
It means to place your faith solely in the work of the cross and nothing that you can do. Ask yourself what is the object of my faith? Is it keeping commandments or is it loving your neighbor? The object of one's faith(most of you have never heard that term) must be in the cross. The cross is a sacrifice that paid what man could not pay no matter how hard we try. While all these things are good, self denial, bible study, prayer, fasting, being kind, helping your neighbor, and so forth. They do not work unless our faith is in the work of the cross. The RYR kept the commandments, but Jesus said if you want to be perfect take up the cross and follow me. He was speaking of His cross the only one that can save man and make him righteous. The Just shall live by faith, faith in what, bible study or the cross, keeping commandments or the cross. The object of our faith must be the cross and the cross alone and nothing we can add or do.