The Way of the Cross
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus said, “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” - Matthew 10:32-33 (NRSV)
For most of my adult life I was a devoted atheist. I would tell anyone who would listen that God made no sense; it seemed easy to defend my views. Shortly after my conversion, however, I was presented with the opportunity to defend Christ to a co-worker who was espousing the same views I had once held. I choked. Suddenly, I was more concerned about what my friend thought of me than what was important to Christ. In that moment I discovered that I was more in love with the world than with God.
Scripture teaches that those in love with the world do not have the Father’s love in them.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them 1 John 2:15. Too often we Christians are concerned about what our peers will think if we share our faith in Christ Jesus. However, Christ instructs us to boldly share our faith and promises to be with us always.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt. 28:18-20.
I regret those days when I hesitated to share my faith; I regret having ever turned my back on Christ. There are no magical words or formulas needed to tell others about our faith in Christ. All that’s needed is honesty and a willingness to tell others what Christ has done in our lives. In the end, we will be rewarded for loving God more.
Thought for the Day
We can ask God for courage in difficult moments.
Prayer
Ever-living God, give us confidence to be your witnesses in the world. Grant us the courage to love you more than we love the world. Amen.
Prayer focus Giving strength to New Christians
Jesus said, “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” - Matthew 10:32-33 (NRSV)