“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever will save his life shall lose it, and whoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it” (Matt. 16:24,25).

        Our Lord turns to the disciples and puts before them that not merely is He going to the cross, but they must be prepared to follow Him there. If I am to be in the true path of Jesus, I must deny myself and take up the cross and follow—not the disciples, not this church or that church, but—Jesus Himself. I must turn from what is pleasing to my heart naturally. I must meet with shame and rejection in this present evil world. If not, depend upon it, I am not following Jesus. And remember, it is a dangerous thing to believe in Jesus without following Him. Following Jesus may be like losing one’s life. At the present time much confession of Christ is, comparatively, an easy matter. There is little opposition or persecution. People imagine that the world is changed; they talk of progress and enlightenment. The truth is, Christians are changed. Let us ask ourselves whether we desire to be found taking up our cross and following Jesus.

        The flesh easily assumes superiority over the spirit; and indulgence to the path of ease comes in (though of Satan) under the plea of love and kindness. Is the cross of Christ our glory? Are we willing to suffer in doing His will? What a delusion is present honor and enjoyment!

                (From Lectures on the Gospel of Matthew.)