Enemies of the Cross

The Cross of Jesus Christ! The most recognized emblem in the world! A symbol of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, hope, peace, and eternal life! Why is there so much opposition to it? There is only ONE answer to that question: no one wants to carry his God-given cross - God's pleasing and perfect will for his or her life. Why? As spoken by the Lord, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24; Luke 14:2; Mark 8:34 NIV) Self-denial of our own will in order to live for someone else is a hard choice, even in this simple life we live. "How hard it is for many to give themselves over to me," says the Lord. "Very few will say, 'For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, '" (Philippians 1:21-24 NIV) Millions embrace the cross of Christ with open arms; yet very few open their hearts to carry and endure the pain of the cross unto their death, thus denying the power of the Cross: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, (Jesus Christ) who loved me and gave himself for me."