Your Troubles are Not Your Crosses
I used to struggle under the notion that the trials I was going through may be crosses that God wanted me to bear. A theology of suffering was presented and I was encouraged to believe that somehow God was getting glory out of my problems.
Since then I have subscribed to a theology of victory, and I believe it is more in line with the Bible. Yes, we will have troubles in this life, but the troubles are not to reign. That is the old way of death, but we are now walking in life: For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).
Believers often fail to see themselves as reigning in life, but that is what the Lord wants to do through us. He wants us to be more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). This, of course, means that there will be battles. What is a conqueror but one who has gone through the battle? Yet many struggle through their battles with no resolve to fight. They believe that God has sent the trial as a cross to bear, and consider it something that just has to be endured. Rather than believing that God can see them through the trial and deliver them, they think He is using it to teach them something. But while God does use trials to teach us, we also need to understand that we have spiritual enemies. We are called to resist the devil (James 4:7).
Trials don't guarantee growth. If they did, everyone would be mature and strong! Yet God can always grow you in a trial if you look to Him while resisting the devil. You can grow by leaning on His Word to get you through and trusting in His eventual deliverance.
"But didn't Jesus say to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23)?" The word daily is actually not found in a number of reputable manuscripts or in the parallel places (Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34).
If you look into the context, Jesus is referring to laying down your life and siding with Him. Taking up a cross is a one time deal. You will not find any exhortation in any of the epistles to take up your cross. But you will find several references to the fact of being crucified- that is already having been crucified (cf. Rom. 6:6; Gal.2:20; 6:14). It is a one time event. A 'siding' with Jesus.
Since then I have subscribed to a theology of victory, and I believe it is more in line with the Bible. Yes, we will have troubles in this life, but the troubles are not to reign. That is the old way of death, but we are now walking in life: For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).
Believers often fail to see themselves as reigning in life, but that is what the Lord wants to do through us. He wants us to be more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). This, of course, means that there will be battles. What is a conqueror but one who has gone through the battle? Yet many struggle through their battles with no resolve to fight. They believe that God has sent the trial as a cross to bear, and consider it something that just has to be endured. Rather than believing that God can see them through the trial and deliver them, they think He is using it to teach them something. But while God does use trials to teach us, we also need to understand that we have spiritual enemies. We are called to resist the devil (James 4:7).
Discipline and Crosses
Trials don't guarantee growth. If they did, everyone would be mature and strong! Yet God can always grow you in a trial if you look to Him while resisting the devil. You can grow by leaning on His Word to get you through and trusting in His eventual deliverance.
Sometimes we don't look for deliverance because we assume we are being disciplined. This calls for discernment. When a parent disciplines his child, it is temporary and it gets the point across. If a parent were to inflict his child with terminal cancer, that would not be discipline. It would be child abuse! If God is disciplining you, you should be able to get the message and get over it before too long.
Take up your Cross
Your cross to bear is not your job, your spouse, or some other unpleasant situation! The call to take up your cross is the call to lose your life for the sake of following Jesus. It is a life decision that is nicely reflected in the old song: "I have decided to follow Jesus...no turning back, no turning back.""But didn't Jesus say to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23)?" The word daily is actually not found in a number of reputable manuscripts or in the parallel places (Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34).
If you look into the context, Jesus is referring to laying down your life and siding with Him. Taking up a cross is a one time deal. You will not find any exhortation in any of the epistles to take up your cross. But you will find several references to the fact of being crucified- that is already having been crucified (cf. Rom. 6:6; Gal.2:20; 6:14). It is a one time event. A 'siding' with Jesus.
You can still use the principle of siding with Him daily. Daily you can remember your commitment to Jesus and remember that you have died. But hopefully you don't have to daily make a decision to follow Jesus- that issue should be settled once and for all.
New covenant believers are blessed with all spiritual blessings (Eph.1:3) and have authority to overcome (1John 4:4; 1John 5:4). The body of Christ should see themselves as continuing His mission to destroy satan's works (1John 3:8).
While we as believers have many trials to go through, the Lord has promised to see us through. But I do not believe they are crosses to take up or crosses He is putting on us. We have already sided with Him and there would be no merit in our adding crosses to the finished work of Christ!
Once and for all side with Jesus! Then abide. Don't embrace troubles as being your crosses to bear. When you took up your cross and yielded your life to Jesus, you entered into the New Covenant. God will see you through! Abide in the Vine and you will bring forth fruit. Little children, abide in Him (1John 2:28).
Side, then Abide
Having sided with Jesus, our work now is to abide in Him.New covenant believers are blessed with all spiritual blessings (Eph.1:3) and have authority to overcome (1John 4:4; 1John 5:4). The body of Christ should see themselves as continuing His mission to destroy satan's works (1John 3:8).
While we as believers have many trials to go through, the Lord has promised to see us through. But I do not believe they are crosses to take up or crosses He is putting on us. We have already sided with Him and there would be no merit in our adding crosses to the finished work of Christ!
Once and for all side with Jesus! Then abide. Don't embrace troubles as being your crosses to bear. When you took up your cross and yielded your life to Jesus, you entered into the New Covenant. God will see you through! Abide in the Vine and you will bring forth fruit. Little children, abide in Him (1John 2:28).
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