Christian Living

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The old song says, "The way of the cross leads home," but I'm not sure we have accepted that axiomatic truth. For eons and still today we have tried to find easier ways to follow Christ, to make it less painful, to soften the journey, to ease the burden. But no one is born so perfect that he doesn't need the molding, teaching experiences that he has suffered to make him more into the image of Christ. We cannot get from where we are to where we ought to be on "flowery beds of ease." Hard truths are seldom softly learned. It takes fire to refine gold, a hammer and anvil to shape iron--and trials to shape a human heart in the likeness of Christ. The cross cannot be smoothed out, dressed up or overlooked. No crown without a cross. If Christ was made perfect by suffering, how much more compelling is it for us? When we endure terrible trials and tribulations, it may be God molding us into the image of His Son. Heb. 5:8

"These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him that we may be glorified together. Rom. 8:16,17

"And He said to them all, if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Luke 9:23

The way of the cross is a Christian assignment. Those who avoid or deny it will not pass the course. The way of the cross is the path to the crown, and there is no other.

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