How to Take up Your Cross

Jesus tells us to take up our cross daily...but what does that mean? It is often mischaracterized as meaning that each Christian will have his or her own unique burden to bear. Further, this line of argument seems to usually imply some sort of physical malady (thorn in our side) that we have to endure for the sake of Christ.


However, a careful reading shows this as a misinterpretation. The text does not say this and the context does not imply it.


Instead, it is Jesus teaching us how to live the LIFE He promised us while we are still on this earth. It is so simple that it is difficult for us to comprehend. It seems too easy.


The WHOLE key to living is this: Everyday, decide to trust Him instead of following the desires of the flesh. That's it. It's not about trying harder to do better or to do more. It's about trusting Him.


Warning: Your flesh will rebel against that notion and The Adversary will whisper lies about this saying "surely you must do.". Satan may even quote Scripture to you, "faith without works is dead."


Yes. But your job is the faith (which comes first). God's job is the works. Trust God first and the result will always be good and perfect works. Works not preceded by trust in God is nothing more than us striving to do it on our own. That is called religion.


Everyday, before anything else, trust Him to work through your life. Everyday. Before your family, friends, ambition, insecurities, plans - first take up your cross that was borne by Him and simply trust Him. Deny self and everything and everyone else and trust Him first and only.
Matthew 16, Matthew 10, Luke 14

Can You DO the Fruit of the Spirit?

If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you have heard many messages on the Fruit of the Spirit.  You know the list...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

Today's tough question is "can you DO the fruit of the Spirit?"  Let's take a look at Galatians 5:16-24 for some clues:  

5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 

5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 

5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 

5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 

5:20  idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 

5:21  envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

5:23  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

A couple of points to think about:

First, the fruit of the Spirit is the Holy Spirit's fruit.  The Holy Spirit's very nature is made up of these things.  

Second, The fruit is not the Christian's fruit.  Paul does not call it "the fruit of the Christian."  

Third, the Christian's flesh does some stuff - but Paul calls them "deeds" (v19) instead of fruit. Deeds are things we do.  In fact, our flesh desires to do these bad deeds.

In versus 16 and 18, Paul gives us the keys.  If we walk by the Spirit:  1.  we will not do the evil deeds of our flesh and 2. the Holy Spirit will manifest His fruit in our lives.  Paul clarifies further by implying in versus 18 and 23, that if we trust in our own selves and try to live by the law, the result will be the deeds of our flesh.  

The point Paul makes is "trust God" in your life instead of taking it upon yourself to "do the law."  Haven't we learned by now that we are not good at doing the law?  If we could do it, wouldn't Jesus' sacrifice have been in vain?

So, the answer to the question is "no," you cannot do the Fruit of the Spirit.  But, by trusting God, His Spirit will display those fruits in your life.  Walk in the Spirit (v16).  Let Him lead you (v18).

Make sense?