Of Bearing the Cross: One Branch of Self-Denial
CHAPTER III.
OF BEARING THE CROSS—ONE BRANCH OF SELF-DENIAL.
Chapter Summary: I. The Nature of the Cross: Its Necessity and Dignity
Section 1: Understanding the essence of the cross Section 2: Recognizing the importance and honor of the cross
II. The Advantages of the Cross: Its Many Benefits
Sections 3-6: Exploring the manifold advantages of embracing the cross
III. The Excellency of the Cross: A Paradoxical Journey
Sections 7-8: Discovering the unparalleled beauty of the cross while acknowledging the presence of pain
IV. Warfare and Patience: Embracing the Cross in True Resilience
Sections 9-11: Understanding the spiritual battle fought under the cross and embracing genuine patience, following the example of Christ
1. The pious soul is called to ascend higher, following the path to which Christ beckons His disciples: to take up their cross (Matthew 16:24). Those who have been chosen and honored with the intimate fellowship of the Lord must prepare themselves for a life marked by hardship, toil, and various forms of affliction. Our heavenly Father, in His wisdom, deems it necessary to refine and test His people through this challenging journey. Just as Christ, the firstborn Son, embarked on this course, enduring a perpetual cross throughout His earthly sojourn, so too must His children follow in His footsteps. Although the Son held a special place in the Father's heart, being the beloved one in whom He delighted, He was not exempt from a life of trials. In fact, His very existence was permeated with the essence of the cross. The Apostle offers insight into the purpose behind this divine arrangement, affirming that even the Son, in His role as obedient servant, learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8). Therefore, why should we exempt ourselves from the conditions that our Head, Christ, willingly embraced on our behalf? He endured the cross to provide us with a model of steadfast patience. It is for this reason that the Apostle declares that all children of God are destined to be conformed to the image of Christ. Thus, in the midst of arduous and challenging circumstances, which the world perceives as evil and adverse, we find solace in the knowledge that we are partaking in the sufferings of Christ. Just as He traversed the path of manifold afflictions on His way to heavenly glory, so too are we led through diverse tribulations toward the same destination. The Apostle Paul echoes this truth when he declares, "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). He further desires to "know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Romans 8:29). How profoundly does the bitterness of the cross diminish when we contemplate that our afflictions and adversities draw us closer to Christ, deepening our fellowship with Him! In this communion, our sufferings are not only blessed, but they also serve to advance our salvation.
2. Let us consider that while it was solely to demonstrate His obedience to the Father that our Lord took upon Himself the burden of the cross, we, on the other hand, have numerous reasons to continually live under its weight. By nature, we are feeble and inclined to attribute all excellence to our flesh. Unless we have a tangible display of our weakness, we easily overestimate our own virtue and believe that it will remain unscathed and invincible in the face of any challenge. This leads us to indulge in foolish and empty confidence in our own abilities, becoming proud even against the Lord Himself, as if we could rely on our own faculties without His grace. There is no better remedy for this arrogance than when God, through various means, reveals to us not only our weakness but also our frailty. He may send us disgrace, poverty, bereavement, illness, or other afflictions that we feel utterly incapable of enduring. It is in these moments that we are humbled and learn to call upon His strength, the only power that can sustain us under the weight of suffering. Even the most righteous individuals, who are fully aware that they do not stand in their own strength but in the grace of God, would grow too confident in their own fortitude and constancy if they were not brought to a deeper self-awareness through the trials of the cross. This realization even dawned upon David, for he confesses, "In my prosperity I said, 'I shall never be moved.' Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled" (Psalm 30:6-7). He acknowledges that in times of prosperity, his senses became dull and he neglected to rely on the grace of God, instead leaning on his own strength and expecting perpetuity. If such a great prophet could fall into this trap, how much more should we fear and exercise caution? Although we may flatter ourselves with thoughts of greater constancy and patience during times of tranquility, it is through the humbling experiences of adversity that we learn the truth. In the face of such trials, believers progress in humility, casting off their misguided confidence in the flesh and turning to the grace of God. And when they do so, they come to experience the presence of divine power, which provides ample protection.
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This truth is beautifully expounded by the apostle Paul when he declares that tribulation produces patience, and patience produces experience (Romans 5:3-4). When believers find themselves in the midst of tribulation, they come to experience the reality of God's promise to be with them. It is through His sustaining hand that they are able to endure with patience, a strength they could never muster on their own. In this way, patience becomes a living proof to the saints that God faithfully provides the aid He has promised whenever it is needed. Such experiences serve to deepen and strengthen their faith, for it would be ungrateful to doubt that God's truth will continue to be firm and unwavering in the future, just as they have found it to be in the past. We can clearly see the manifold benefits that the cross brings. It shatters the inflated sense of our own virtue and exposes the hypocrisy in which we take delight. It strips away our harmful reliance on our own strength, teaching us to lean solely on God. Thus, when we are humbled in this manner, we neither succumb to oppression nor despair. Furthermore, victory over tribulation engenders hope, as the Lord, in fulfilling His promises, establishes His faithfulness for what lies ahead. These reasons alone demonstrate the crucial necessity of bearing the cross. It is of immense importance to be liberated from self-love and to become acutely aware of our weakness. This awareness should instill in us a deep sense of distrust in ourselves, leading us to transfer our complete confidence to God alone. With heartfelt reliance, we lean on Him, trusting in His aid and remaining invincible until the end. We stand firm by His grace, recognizing that He is true to His promises. And with unwavering assurance in the certainty of His promises, we are fortified in hope, empowered to persevere.
4. Another purpose for the Lord's affliction of His people is to test their patience and cultivate their obedience. Although believers can only yield obedience to God through His enabling grace, He is pleased to provide visible and remarkable demonstrations of the graces He has bestowed upon His saints. He does this so that these graces may not remain hidden and unused. Thus, by openly showcasing the strength and constancy of endurance that He has endowed His servants with, He is said to test their patience. This is why we read of God testing Abraham when He asked him to sacrifice his only son (Genesis 21:1, 12). It is also why Peter tells us that our faith is proven through tribulation, just as gold is tested in the furnace of fire. Is it not fitting that the excellent gift of patience, bestowed upon believers by their God, be put to use and made evident? Otherwise, it would never be valued according to its true worth. Therefore, when God supplies the means to bring forth these virtues, preventing them from lurking in obscurity or being wasted and lost, there is sound reason for the afflictions endured by His saints, for without such trials, their patience would not exist. Moreover, I say that through the cross, believers are also trained in obedience. They learn to live not according to their own desires, but at the disposal of God. If everything proceeded as they wished, they would never truly understand what it means to follow God. Seneca mentioned an old proverb that when someone was encouraged to endure adversity, they would say, "Follow God." This implies that individuals only submit to the yoke of God when they willingly endure His discipline and correction. Therefore, since it is right for us to demonstrate obedience to our heavenly Father in all things, we should not shy away from any method by which He trains us in obedience.
5. Yet, if we truly comprehend the necessity of obedience, we must also recognize the inherent inclination of our carnal nature to cast off the yoke of God whenever it is treated with even a hint of gentleness and indulgence. It is akin to the behavior of unruly horses that, when left idle for a few days in pasture and stable, become untamable and fail to recognize the rider whom they once obediently obeyed. Invariably, we fall into the very state that God laments in the people of Israel – growing fat and stubborn, kicking against the very One who has nurtured and cared for us (Deuteronomy 32:15). Though the kindness of God should attract us to reflect upon and love His goodness, our inherent wickedness is such that we are easily corrupted by His leniency. Thus, it is not only necessary, but essential, for us to be restrained by discipline, lest we give in to petulance and rebellion. In His wisdom, the Lord intervenes through the cross to subdue and control the arrogance of our flesh. He does so in various ways, tailored to the specific needs of each individual. Just as not all of us suffer from the same ailment, our cures do not come in a uniform prescription. We observe, then, that while the heavenly Physician may treat some with gentleness, He employs more rigorous remedies for others, all with the purpose of providing healing for every soul. No one is left untouched or unaffected, for He knows that every single one of us, without exception, is afflicted with the disease of sin.
6. We must acknowledge that our merciful Father not only seeks to prevent our weakness but often corrects our past faults as well, in order to keep us in obedience. Therefore, when afflictions befall us, we ought to immediately reflect upon our past lives. In doing so, we will recognize that the chastisement we receive is just and deserved for the transgressions we have committed. Yet, the call to patience should not primarily rest on the acknowledgement of our sins. Scripture provides us with a far better perspective, teaching us that in adversity we are chastened by the Lord so that we may not be condemned along with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32). Therefore, even in the bitterness of tribulation, we ought to perceive the kindness and mercy of our Father, who continues to work for our salvation. He afflicts us not to ruin or destroy us, but to deliver us from the condemnation of the world. Let this understanding lead us to heed the teachings of Scripture: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, just as a father the son in whom he delights" (Proverbs 3:11-12). When we experience our Father's discipline, should we not respond as obedient and teachable children, rather than imitating the rebellious behavior of desperate individuals hardened in wickedness? God would be condemning us to destruction if He did not, through correction, call us back when we stray from Him. Truly, it is said, "If you are without chastening...then you are illegitimate and not sons" (Hebrews 12:8). We display utmost perversity if we cannot endure His loving care and the attention He gives to our salvation. Scripture draws a distinction between believers and unbelievers, stating that the latter, enslaved to deeprooted iniquity, only grow worse and more obstinate under the lash, whereas the former, as free-born sons, turn to repentance. Now, therefore, choose your stance. Although I have touched upon this matter briefly here, as I have previously discussed it, it is sufficient to remind us of its importance.
7. There is a profound consolation when we endure persecution for the sake of righteousness. In those moments, our hearts should be filled with awe at the honor bestowed upon us by God, as He marks us with the special emblem of His soldiers. When we suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, it encompasses not only our unwavering defense of the Gospel but also our steadfast defense of righteousness in any situation. Whether we find ourselves contending for the truth of God against the deceptive lies of Satan or defending the good and innocent against the injustices of the wicked, we may face the offense and hatred of the world, placing our very lives, fortunes, and reputations at risk. Yet, let us not grieve or shrink back from giving ourselves wholeheartedly to God in such circumstances. Let us not consider ourselves as wretched in the very things that Christ Himself pronounced us blessed (Matthew 5:10). Indeed, poverty in itself is accompanied by a sense of misery, as are exile, contempt, imprisonment, and shame. Ultimately, death itself is the ultimate calamity. However, when the favor of God breathes upon us, there is nothing in this world that cannot turn into a source of happiness for us. Let us find contentment in the testimony of Christ rather than the false evaluations of the flesh. Following the example of the Apostles, we will rejoice in being deemed "worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41). Why? If, while aware of our innocence, we are stripped of our possessions due to the wickedness of others, we may be impoverished from a human standpoint. Yet, in truth, our riches in heaven are multiplied. If we are driven from our homes, we are embraced more warmly within the family of God. If we are vexed and despised, our roots in Christ grow deeper. If we bear the stigma of disgrace and shame, our position in the kingdom of God is elevated. And if we are martyred, the gateway to eternal life is opened before us. Since the Lord has placed such a high value upon us, let us be ashamed to consider ourselves as anything less than what we truly are, rather than clinging to the fleeting allurements of this present life.
8. Scripture abundantly consoles us with these profound reflections, assuring us that the ignominy and hardships we endure in the defense of righteousness are not in vain. It would be an act of ingratitude if we did not willingly and joyfully accept these trials from the hand of the Lord. We must remember that this form of the cross is most fitting for believers, as it is the very means by which Christ desires to be glorified in us, as affirmed by the apostle Peter (1 Peter 4:11, 14). However, for those with noble hearts, suffering disgrace is often more bitter than facing death itself. Paul explicitly reminds us that not only persecution but also disgrace awaits us because of our trust in the living God (1 Timothy 4:10). He also encourages us, following his example, to walk in the face of both evil reports and good reports (2 Corinthians 6:8). Yet, the cheerfulness required does not imply a total insensitivity to pain. The saints would not display patience under the cross if they were not tormented by pain and grievously afflicted. Poverty brings hardship, disease brings pain, ignominy brings shame, and death brings fear. Each of these naturally vexes the mind due to its inherent bitterness. However, the believer reveals their fortitude by being fully aware of the bitterness and enduring the struggles with boldness. They exhibit patience by restraining themselves from excesses, fearfully mindful of God's commandments. They demonstrate alacrity by finding satisfaction and solace in the spiritual consolation offered by God, even in the midst of sorrow and sadness.
9. This spiritual conflict waged by believers against the natural feeling of pain, while they strive for moderation and patience, is beautifully depicted by the apostle Paul: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Here we see that bearing the cross patiently does not require the complete numbing of our emotions or an absolute insensitivity to pain, as the Stoics of old falsely proclaimed. Their ideal of an unfeeling hero, untouched by adversity or joy, was but a shadow of true patience, an unattainable concept for humanity. Likewise, we encounter in our midst a new breed of Stoics among Christians who deem it sinful not only to groan and weep, but even to experience sadness and anxiety. Such paradoxical notions are often espoused by idle philosophers who dwell in speculation rather than action, and their teachings do not serve us well. We must distance ourselves from that rigid and cold philosophy. Our Lord and Master Himself condemned it not only in words, but also through His own example. He grieved and shed tears for the sorrows of Himself and others. His teachings to His disciples were not contrary to this either, for He said, "Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice" (John 16:20). And lest anyone should consider mourning as a vice, He expressly declared, "Blessed are they that mourn" (Matthew 5:4). It is no wonder, then, that if all tears were to be condemned, we must question the tears shed by our Lord Himself, whose sweat fell like drops of blood to the ground (Luke 22:44; Matthew 26:38). If every form of fear were a sign of unbelief, what shall we make of the dread that overwhelmed Him? And if all sadness were deemed sinful, how could we justify His confession, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death" (Matthew 26:38)? Let us therefore embrace the full range of human emotions, understanding that our Lord experienced them as well, and let us find solace in His understanding and compassion.
10. I wanted to share these thoughts to encourage pious hearts and prevent them from falling into despair. Let us not abandon the pursuit of patience simply because it seems impossible to rid ourselves of natural grief. We must avoid turning patience into a state of numbness or transforming a courageous and steadfast person into an unfeeling block. Scripture commends the endurance of saints when, despite the hardships they face, they are not crushed; when bitterness fills their hearts, yet spiritual joy fills their souls; when anxiety weighs them down, yet they are uplifted by the consolation of God. However, there remains a certain resistance within their hearts because human nature instinctively recoils from and dreads what is adverse to it. Nevertheless, the devout soul seeks to obey the divine will even in the face of these difficulties. Our Lord alluded to this resistance when He spoke to Peter, saying, "When you were young, you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go" (John 21:18). While it is unlikely that Peter was forced into martyrdom against his will, for that would have diminished the honor of his sacrifice, it is evident that he experienced a duality of wills. When he contemplated the brutal death he was to face, he felt horror and a desire to avoid it. Yet, when he considered that it was God who called him to this sacrifice, his fear was subdued and he embraced his fate with courage. Therefore, if we truly desire to be disciples of Christ, we must strive to cultivate deep reverence and obedience towards God, taming and subduing any affections that contradict His sovereign will. In doing so, regardless of the type of cross we bear, we will maintain unwavering patience even in the most trying circumstances. Adversity will still carry its bitterness and sting us deeply. In times of illness, we may groan and feel restless, longing for health. When poverty weighs upon us, anxiety and sadness may pierce our hearts. The pain of ignominy, contempt, and injury may wound us, and the tears of grief may flow when we lose loved ones. Yet, through it all, our conviction will remain: The Lord has ordained it, and so we shall follow His will. Even in the midst of anguish, amid our sighs and tears, this thought will naturally arise within us and inspire us to endure cheerfully for the sake of that which afflicts us.
11.But the primary reason for embracing the cross is rooted in the divine will, and we must elucidate the distinction between philosophical and Christian patience in a concise manner. Indeed, only a handful of philosophers ventured to comprehend that affliction is a means by which the hand of God tests us, and that we ought to obediently submit to God in this regard. Their only rationale is that it must be so. But is this not akin to acknowledging that we must yield to God simply because it is futile to contend against Him? For if our obedience to God is contingent upon necessity, and we would abandon it as soon as we can escape its demands, then it lacks sincerity. However, the considerations Scripture prompts us to reflect upon concerning the will of God are vastly different. It directs our attention to justice, equity, and our own salvation. Therefore, Christian exhortations to patience are grounded in these principles. Whether poverty, exile, imprisonment, contempt, disease, bereavement, or any other evil befalls us, we must recognize that none of these circumstances occur apart from the will and providence of God, and that everything He does is executed with perfect order. Moreover, do not our countless daily transgressions deserve to be chastised more severely and with a heavier rod than His mercy employs? Is it not right that our flesh be subdued and brought under the yoke, so that it may no longer rage and indulge itself wantonly? Are not the justice and truth of God worthy of our endurance for their sake? Therefore, if equity is unquestionably displayed in affliction, we cannot murmur or struggle against it without committing iniquity. We no longer hear the cold exhortation, "Yield because it is necessary," but rather a living and dynamic commandment, "Obey because it is unlawful to resist; bear patiently, for impatience is rebellion against the justice of God." Furthermore, as we are naturally drawn to that which we perceive as conducive to our own safety and benefit, our heavenly Father comforts us by assuring us that even in the very cross with which He afflicts us, He provides for our salvation. If it is evident that tribulations are salutary for us, why should we not receive them with tranquil and grateful hearts? By enduring them patiently, we are not succumbing to necessity, but rather contenting ourselves with our own good. Consequently, these reflections expand our contracted minds, which are naturally embittered by the weight of the cross, and fill them with spiritual joy. From this springs forth the offering of thanksgiving, which can only arise from a heart that is cheerful and gladdened. As nothing ought to hinder these sentiments within us, it becomes evident how imperative it is to temper the bitterness of the cross with spiritual joy.