Our Cross to Bear

Most Christians at some point do start to wonder if they’re the real deal. What God asks of us is so far-reaching, so all-encompassing, that when we come up short, we start to ask ourselves, “Am I an imposter … am I even a Christian after all?” (Gary Millar)

How do you answer this? On the one hand, the Bible affirms that the Christian is someone who has repented and believed in Christ. Nothing else is asked. Paul chastises those who demand works for salvation: “You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ” (Galatians 5:3).

And yet James will say, “faith without works is dead.” (James 2:20). Paul, having chastised those who try to add works to faith for justification, will add:

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself. (Gal 5:13-14)

And Jesus himself says “whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27)

The expression, “we all have our cross to bear”, is generally used in a somewhat self-pitying fashion, but this is clearly not Jesus’ intention. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt 11:29-30)

This seems inherently confusing, but it turns out we are poor judges of what is easy and what is hard; of what is deeply satisfying and what is not. We devote our lives to acquiring houses, success and status, despite all evidence–both empirical and experiental–that none of those things bring enduring satisfaction.

Conversely, those who give their lives in service of others regularly speak of deep joy in doing so. Not everyone–service given out of a sense of duty can quickly tire. But a cross taken up in love is no heavy thing. Ask anyone who is in love. The Christian is one who is in love with Jesus–who was raised on his cross–and who is fed through the Spirit by Jesus’ love for them.

Thus, Paul can describe the Christian as one who is “self-controlled, upright and godly”, “eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:11-14), and conclude on salvation by grace:

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. … Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Gal 5:13-26)

The heart of the Christian life is seeing the heart of Jesus, which is a sacrifical love for his children. And we naturally imitate those we love and admire.