We fail to Comprehend the Commitment

Mark 8:34-35 (New King James Version)

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

Matthew Henry in his commentary describes the application of this verse so well;

“He now tells them the law of discipleship, that he was not to please himself, nor to decline afflictions for the Gospel”

The crown of life will not awarded to those who live on cheap grace who show no commitment to the cause of Christ and have no cost to pay.

A religion that costs nothing is worth nothing! A cheap Christianity, without a cross, will prove in the end a useless Christianity, without a crown.”

(J C Ryle)