The Life of a Disciple: A Cross-Bearing Life

Jesus identified for His followers the kind of life He wanted His disciples to live. Those who followed Him were not His disciples unless they took up their cross. What does that mean?

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Initial Considerations:

1. All the statements regarding the bearing of their cross were made prior to Calvary.  The followers of Jesus would have understood the refernce to a Roman exection. One "bearing his cross" would inevitable soon be dead. They were "dead men" walking.

Luke 9:23-25;  Matthew 10:37-39;  Matthew 16:21-26; Mark 8:34

2. Whatever "cross bearing" is, it is done repeatedly and daily.

3. Cross-bearing is expected of every disciple.

4. Cross-bearing is always followed by a following of Christ.  It is not simply a self-denial but a self-denial that initiates a change of direction.

What is this cross-bearing life?

1. It is not just a burden or trial that I bear.

2. It cannot be a mere remembrance of the cross of Christ.

3. It is a daily reckoning that my old self is dead and that I am a new person in Christ. 

Romans 6:6;  Galatians 2:20

4. It is a daily commitment to live as if my old man is dead.

Romans 6:4,6

5. It is a daily abandonment of my old self and a submission to following Christ.