30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 14 25-33 The cost of discipleship 12 The world will hate us, when we carry the cross
📖 Luke 14:25-33
03Jan2020 - *The world will hate us, when we carry the cross* - _Luke 14:25-33_ - Bible reading: _Matthew 5:10-12_
_Luke 14:27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me._
We need constant reminder that we cannot be Christ’ disciples by our own strength. We will fail miserably if we try to do so. Discipleship is a walk in the Holy Spirit.
We understood the first requirement to be a disciple of Christ, when Jesus said that we have to hate our loved ones. We then looked at the second requirement, which is to hate our life. The third requirement to be a disciple of Jesus is to deny the self. The fourth is to take up our cross daily.
We understood yesterday that our cross is to complete the purpose of the cross of Jesus, which is to reconcile people and the whole of creation, back with God. Wherever we are, we carry the cross of Jesus, which is our cross.
As we carry the cross of Jesus, which is now our cross, we will have to face the hatred of the world. _John 17:14-18 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world._ The world will hate us, because we are carrying the cross of Jesus. _(15) I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one._ The evil one will be against us, as we take up the cross of Jesus, but Jesus has prayed for us.
_(16) They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (17) Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (18) As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world._
We are blessed, when we are persecuted for the sake of the cross of Christ. _Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. (12) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you._
When we are taking up the cross of Christ, daily, our material needs will be looked after by God. When our entire life has just one concern, which is to take up the cross of Christ, we will not be anxious for material things.
_Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (32) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (33) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you._ We will not be anxious and afraid, if we are taking up the cross of Christ, daily.
_John 16:33 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, I have overcome the world." I John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world._
*Thought to ponder*
```II Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,```