DCLM Sincere Milk 22 December 2023 — Grace To Carry My Cross
DCLM Sincere Milk 22 December 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Grace To Carry My Cross
Topic: Grace To Carry My Cross
Text: Mark 8:34-38
34And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
36For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
38Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Key Verse: “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, Let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34
Message
The cross is the symbol of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. The cross represents the greatest sacrifice ever made and the assurance of salvation for everyone who believes. Therefore, the cross is the mark of true discipleship and total commitment to God and acceptance of any suffering that comes with serving God. You cannot separate the cross from Christianity because Christianity without the cross is mere religion. There is a cross to bear and there is also grace available for the cross. To take up your cross is to “deny yourself” Friends of Jesus must be ready to bear any shame, reproach and suffering that come with loving Jesus and standing for Him at all times.
Our salvation attracts God’s abundant blessings, but at the same time exposes us to persecution and other forms of suffering because the world hates righteousness. A believer who desires to make heaven must determine to endure any suffering that comes his way without compromising his or her faith. Always remember that grace is available for believers who are joyfully carrying the cross of Jesus. Victory is sure on earth and a crown of righteousness in eternity for you if you stand for Jesus till the end.
Further Reading: Luke 14:25-27
Prayer for today: Lord, give me grace to carry my cross without compromising my faith.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
