This Is How We Do It…
There are some scriptures where God takes the “How to” approach of teaching us His Word, Will and Way. Mark 8:34 is just that. The scripture is the breakdown of what “Whosoever will come after me” must do…which is the primary purpose of the believer! These are stated plainly and in an intentional order.
First, they must deny themselves.
The biggest problem for most of us is SELF. The biggest roadblock for most of us is SELF. The most powerful enemy for most of us is SELF. So, we have to get SELF out of the way by denying self. This is best done by looking beyond self to focus on God! God gives us the power to do so. We just have to choose to do it!
Second, they must take up their OWN cross.
Even when we are man or woman enough to take up a cross, we then have to be careful that we are picking up OUR cross and not someone else’s. This requires a bit of spiritual maturity to know the difference between our cross and someone else’s. Then finally, follow Christ. After having gone through the storm…after having given up our rights for someone else’s wrong, after having withstood the fiery darts of the devil…
WE MUST FOLLOW CHRIST.
This takes EFFORT and knowledge of who Christ is…
