Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/78

Contributor - Rev. J. Moerman

Title - Christ's Cross And The Christian's Cross

Topic - Self Denial

Christ's cross and the Christian's cross are different in many ways. Jesus cried on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" No Christian will ever have to cry this, because Jesus cried these agonizing words for us. Christ died on the cross to bring about our reconciliation and redemption. He alone carried the wrath of God for the sin of the world. The cross tells us that Jesus brought atonement for our sins. He shed his blood for us. He is our expiation. Our penalty and punishment for sin has been lifted for us at Calvary. As a result of this we now are able to live a life of forgiveness and freedom, pardon and peace.

Yet, there is a strong relationship between Christ's cross and the Christian's cross. This is because Jesus also said, "Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." (Luke 12: 51). In Matthew the word "sword" is used. A sword is an expression of division. Jesus also said, "A disciple is not above his master.,, (Matthew 10: 24.) All this means that there is such a thing as cross bearing for the Christian.

Disappointment, sorrow, trouble and pain, etc. is not the kind of cross bearing that the holy scriptures speak of. These things are often a direct result of sin, or otherwise indirectly related to it. We only have to take one good look at all the misery in the world. The bible does not call this cross bearing, nor should we do that.

When Jesus spoke to his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16: 24), he was pointing in the direction of suffering for his name's sake and the gospel's sake. Christian cross-bearing is the result of Jesus's cross-bearing for us. Our love for Jesus com compels us to suffer for him at times. All the apostles suffered for Christ's sake and the gospel's sake. They loved him so much that they were ready to die for him, if this would be what God had in store for them. Cross bearing was a sign of being "in Christ".

How much do we know about cross bearing for Christ and the gospel's sake? How much do I want to know about it? How much cross bearing for Christ and his gospel have you experienced in your life? And if it was little or none, what could have been the reason for it?

It certainly cannot be because God has "called off" all suffering for Jesus' and the gospel's sake' There is no hint of it in the bible, e.g., read some of these passages: Romans 8: 17; I Corinthians 4: 1113; II Corinthians 1: 5, 8-9; 11: 2327; 1 Peter 1: 6-7; 5: 6-11; etc' Throughout all of history Christians have suffered for Christ and the gospel's sake.

Yes, it is much easier to sing about cross-bearing than opening the door for the possibility of suffering for Jesus' and the gospel's sake. During the Lenten season we often sing,

Jesus, I my cross have taken, All to leave and follow Thee; Destitute, despised, forsaken, .....

Or take these couple of lines from the second stanza,

"Man may trouble and distress me ....Life with trials hard may press me ....

Is it hypocritical to sing these and other words like this hymn if we do not know what cross bearing involves? Or worse, when we are not interested in coming to know what brings it on? What is your reply to these questions?

There never will be any cross bearing for Christ's and the gospel's sake when we do not know what denying of ourselves involves! This is a pre-condition for possibly suffering for Jesus' sake. We do not even have to go so far as visit people who have no church connections, in order to see how far we on the North American continent are removed from "self-denial". We only have to stay with ourselves. How much evidence do we see within our own lives and homes of self denial for Christ's and the gospel's sake? Do we not all live in luxury? True, the one more than the other; however, what do we know about giving up for Christ's and the gospel's sake?

Could it be that many of us have not come to understand what conversion and commitment means or entails? Can a Christian expect cross-bearing for Christ's and the gospel's sake at times?

Let me put it this way: to take up our cross means that we place ourselves in the position of a condemned criminal, who is on his way to be crucified. Not in order to pay the supreme penalty for sin, no. Jesus paid this price for us, once and for all. We voluntarily place ourselves in the condition of the condemned criminal in order to die with Jesus to the power of sin. The apostle wrote to the Galatian Christians, "And those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5: 24.) This does not speak of an experience that was performed for us. Sometimes our being crucified with Christ is spoken of in a passive sense (Galatians 2: 20, Romans 6: 6). Here, however, it is spoken of in an active sense. We have actively involved ourselves in the crucifying of our flesh with its passions and desires. In other words, we took hold of God's help and died to the power of sin and are living for Jesus and his gospel. We are a new creation, the old has passed away, behold the new has come. (II Corinthians 4:17.)

It is this that can bring on cross bearing for Christ's and the gospel's sake. There shall never be any cross bearing for Christ and the gospel unless and until there has been a conscious crucifying to our old self. There must first be a dying before there will be a rising (John 12: 24-26). We may also refer to it as the new birth (John 3: 3). Whatever phrase may be employed, the all important thing is that there must be a conscious renouncing of our self-will. There is no option. Cross bearing calls for nothing short but self-denial. All self-centredness must go. For good. My ego has to die. There will never be any cross bearing for Christ's and the gospel's sake when the unredeemed self sits on the throne of my life.

Where there is persecution today, these Christians know what taking up one's cross means and what it involves. There was renunciation of self, even as repudition of all self-centredness. Nothing and no one would take the place of Christ, who gave himself for them. Jesus and the gospel stood first in their lives. And this conviction brought them in trouble with the godless authorities. Their Christian faith caused them to suffer for Christ and the gospel. Let us pray much for those who do so much cross bearing.

Yet, where there is self-denial and cross-bearing the church in no way is dying out. Quite the opposite! There the church grows stronger and faster. There God is glorified as in few other places. There you find examples of humility, joy, and spiritual power.

Are we ready for self-denial and cross-bearing for Christ's and the gospel's sake? The Lenten season is an appropriate time for self examination. How about discussing among one another the following questions:

1. Am I following Jesus?

2. Do I know what self-denial involves?

3. Have I taken up my cross?

4. Have I crucified the flesh with its passions and desires?

5. Am I instrumental in helping the church to grow strong?

6. Do I live for God's glory?

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