The Cross

I've really when thinking a lot lately about the meaning of the cross and how it is reflected in our lives. So often our society uses a cross as a universal symbol for whatever we feel like using it for. But it isn't. The cross was/is/and always will be a symbol of sacrifice out of eternal love for another. Jesus died on the cross for us with the weight of our sin on his shoulders. Not because the sight of the cross looked lovely among all who betrayed Him and wanted Him to die a death He didn't deserve. Not because He was carrying His own sin, because He never sinned. He died on the cross so that we could be restored and reconciled to Him and to be made new! It breaks my heart to see crosses everywhere whether it's on campus, on cars, as jewelry or even patterns on a shirt. And so few actually understand the true meaning behind it. It is a sign of love, sacrifice, humbleness, righteousness, self-denial, meekness, and faithfulness. If we don't possess these qualities in our character while wearing or promoting the symbol of the cross, then we really need to evaluate our hearts and discover the true meaning of it. We can't put in a halfway effort. We're either for the kingdom of God or against it. 

Once we understand what the cross meant to Jesus and what He gave up for us to have a chance at a new life, we can begin to pick up our own cross to follow Him. If we can't pick up our cross to follow Jesus daily, then we have no right to use it as a sign of "religiousness" or "spirituality." Essentially, we have said no to self-denial, and yes to selfishness. Let us not be a generation of selfishness seeking our own desires but let us unite together as God created us to spread the heart of the cross: selfless sacrifice.