Reflections - Christianity Without the Cross

Christianity without the Cross

Unthinkable

Jesus defeated Satan not by His miracles or healing of the sick and the disabled, or by casting out demons, or by the gift of knowledge, or by His wisdom, or by prayer and fasting. 

He defeated Satan by His death on the Cross and by his resurrection. Through intense 'pain' and 'shame' – two 'sufferings' that Satan has made believe is unbecoming of man. It is the ace up Satan's sleeve that we often fall prey to when we are unwilling to accept sufferings that come our way. 

Jesus said, "Whoever does not take up his cross and follow in my steps is not fit to be my disciple" (Matt: 10:38). When we think of the Cross, we think of a heavy burden. But Jesus assures us that "His yoke is easy and his burden light". 

Not everyone is destined for martyrdom, but all of us who call ourselves Christians are certainly called to give as much of ourselves as needed to help another human being. And, this can be a daily occurrence in our life by: 

• The choices we make: our every thought, word and deed can lighten someone's 'load' financially, socially, psychologically, physiologically, and more importantly, spiritually
• Our response to situations when we find ourselves on the other side of the fence 

Let's accept that we, as human beings, are basically selfish. This selfishness comes from a sense of insecurity that there may not be enough for us to completely satisfy ourselves. When there is limited food set on the table, there is a greater tendency to eat more. 

The cross that Jesus wants us to carry, perhaps putting it too simply, is the shedding of this selfishness. When we examine ourselves, we will discover in what areas we are detestably selfish. 

With our wealth (not tithing as the Word of God exhorts us to); with our health (spending too much time exercising and body improvement); with our time (no time for anything but our own pursuits); with our spirituality (praying only for our very own needs); with our property (owning more than needed to live decently); knowledge (using it only to enhance our own professional growth) and with our way of life (spending it on pleasurable pursuits). By no yardstick this is an exhaustive list. It cannot be. Man’s selfishness is legendary. You don’t have to look beyond too far. Just from the window of our house or our car will tell the tale of our selfishness.  

As we begin working on each area where we believe we are lacking, we will discover what Jesus meant "my yoke is easy and my burden light". It frees us in ways unimaginable. But that is not as important as the impact it will have on people around you. You would have graduated from a "narcissistic" approach to life to a "Christ-centered" approach to life, where you are always on auto-give mode. 

And, the amazing truth is, unknowingly, you enrich yourselves in that very area that you have resolved to give in. You will have more than you imagined in wealth, health and happiness. Though that should not be the goal of giving. The goal of giving is to ‘unload’ to feel lighter and better in the Spirit. The Spirit is light. Read it whichever way you wish.

It will also prepare you for the times that God wants to use you more powerfully. The trials that he will put you through would easily 'kill' a worldly man. Having fortified yourself with the goodness of God in every area of your life, it will be a wellspring of strength. All the time in the gym or gulping tonics hardly bears comparison with what God can offer a willing spirit. For the worldly man trials are a curse to be responded by means that drive you only deeper into ill health, depression and penury. 

If you view your suffering is the Cross referred to by Jesus – you will be saved. However, if you view your situation as a curse, you have damned yourself from ever recovering. These are the choices we make. These are the responses we cultivate. 

Choose wisely and respond with tenacity to unexpected situations and our life will be what God conceived it to be – blessed in every way and to everyone! As Christians we are called to live the Gospel. We are called to carry our Cross - as our Lord God did!