In Christian terminology to take up our cross is symbolism for what Christ did in the flesh.
It isn't literal in the sense we need to crucify ourselves physically but it provides the image that we are to accept and bear the burdens that come from following Christ.
It involves denying the self for spiritual maturity, sometimes suffering in His name, sometimes it may involve sacrifice, commitment to faith even in difficulty, and transformation (growing closer to God) just as Christ's death resulted in life we make practice of (crucifying) denying the flesh (sin) and choose life (holiness).
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but
if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
Romans 8:12-13 KJV
“ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
“
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:
the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
John 6:63 KJV
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth
my word, and believeth on him that sent me,
hath everlasting life, and
shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24
“Then said Jesus
to those Jews
which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and
ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:31-32 KJV
“
if so be that
ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that
ye put off concerning the former conversation
the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
and
be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
and that ye
put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Ephesians 4:21-24 KJV
When we listen to Jesus and learn from him it changes our minds and thinking about God , one another , ourselves , the world we live in , eternity to come ect it changes how we think as we begin to listen to and believe the gospel letting what Jesus taught be true
“And be not conformed to this world: but
be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:2
“and have
put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”
Colossians 3:10 KJV
what we think we know needs to change to what Jesus taught in the gospel that needs to become what we know and trust regarding God ourselves other people life in this world ect it’s the understanding of God he taught us who believe him
We need to go to him for truth because
“
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father;
neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is
easy, and my burden is
light.”
Matthew 11:27-30 KJV
All we really need to do is put our trust in Jesus and that includes the things he taught us in the gospel it’s truly easy and restful because in the end we end up learning that Jesus is really just teaching us to treat one another with compassion and love in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in as we journey through on our way home spreading the news to others who will listen
He teaches us to treat other people as he would have us treat other people as Jesus treated us with care and true love. He already knows we’re not perfect that’s why he had to suffer and die but he teaches us to love each other .
forgive , don’t condemn , take care of the needs of others less fortunate than you as you are able and capable to do so don’t be a person who just passes on by the other side ignoring the e needy man on the corner . Be honest , share , consoder others equal to or even better than yourself more inportant ect
he really is just teaching us to be decent people to each other because we’re going to live for eternity together with him freely and we need to learn to live right