@LoveYeshua
Love your OP. I had been texting with one of my brothers who has been involved in the modern church for decades. He doesn't want to listen to anything against them. I think he thinks I am causing division and, he rarely if ever replies to the scripture I send him.
I will copy paste what I wrote him yesterday:
We have to take up our cross every day Matt, and endure to the end so, it is not what the sleepy modern church tells everyone that after a little alter call, say a few words and poof, you are saved forever!! That never sat well with me.
Picking up your cross and sharing in the suffering of Christ means actively dying to your own selfish desires, surrendering your will to God, and being willing to endure hardship or rejection for the sake of the Gospel. It is a daily commitment to follow Jesus, no matter the cost.
"Taking Up Your Cross
Denying Yourself: Jesus commanded, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24).
A Daily Commitment: In Luke 9:23, Jesus specifies that this is not a one-time event, adding that we must take up our cross "daily."
Prioritizing Christ Above All: Jesus says, "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27)."
Sharing in the Sufferings of Christ:
Fellowship and Glory: "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we SHARE IN HIS SUFFERING in order that we may also share in his glory." (Romans 8:17).
Identifying with His Death: Paul wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (Galatians 2:20).
Rejoicing in Trials: "But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:13).
The Goal of Knowing Him: Paul expresses his desire "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." (Philippians 3:10).
The Heart Behind the Sufferings:
For His Sake: "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it." (Mark 8:35).
Enduring Rejection: Jesus reminds us, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you... A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:18, 20)."
Luke 13:23-24
23 "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,"
24 STRIVE to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."
2 Corinthians 5:10
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
Philippians 2:12
"So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT your own salvation with fear and trembling;"
Matthew 24:13
"But the one who ENDURES TO THE END will be saved."
Matthew 10:22
"And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who ENDURES TO THE END will be saved."
Hebrews 3:14
For we have come to share in Christ, IF indeed we hold our original confidence firm TO THE END.
Revelation 14:12
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, and KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and the faith of Jesus."
Luke 13:23-24
24 "STRIVE TO ENTER in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able"
Love your OP. I had been texting with one of my brothers who has been involved in the modern church for decades. He doesn't want to listen to anything against them. I think he thinks I am causing division and, he rarely if ever replies to the scripture I send him.
I will copy paste what I wrote him yesterday:
We have to take up our cross every day Matt, and endure to the end so, it is not what the sleepy modern church tells everyone that after a little alter call, say a few words and poof, you are saved forever!! That never sat well with me.
Picking up your cross and sharing in the suffering of Christ means actively dying to your own selfish desires, surrendering your will to God, and being willing to endure hardship or rejection for the sake of the Gospel. It is a daily commitment to follow Jesus, no matter the cost.
"Taking Up Your Cross
Denying Yourself: Jesus commanded, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24).
A Daily Commitment: In Luke 9:23, Jesus specifies that this is not a one-time event, adding that we must take up our cross "daily."
Prioritizing Christ Above All: Jesus says, "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27)."
Sharing in the Sufferings of Christ:
Fellowship and Glory: "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we SHARE IN HIS SUFFERING in order that we may also share in his glory." (Romans 8:17).
Identifying with His Death: Paul wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (Galatians 2:20).
Rejoicing in Trials: "But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:13).
The Goal of Knowing Him: Paul expresses his desire "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." (Philippians 3:10).
The Heart Behind the Sufferings:
For His Sake: "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it." (Mark 8:35).
Enduring Rejection: Jesus reminds us, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you... A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:18, 20)."
Luke 13:23-24
23 "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,"
24 STRIVE to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."
2 Corinthians 5:10
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
Philippians 2:12
"So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT your own salvation with fear and trembling;"
Matthew 24:13
"But the one who ENDURES TO THE END will be saved."
Matthew 10:22
"And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who ENDURES TO THE END will be saved."
Hebrews 3:14
For we have come to share in Christ, IF indeed we hold our original confidence firm TO THE END.
Revelation 14:12
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, and KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and the faith of Jesus."
Luke 13:23-24
24 "STRIVE TO ENTER in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able"
