✝️ Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross: Following Jesus Without Turning Back
✝️ Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross: Following Jesus Without Turning Back Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross Pastor Melly taught that Jesus' command to deny yourself and take up your cross is one of the most quoted, yet most misunderstood, teachings in Scripture. The message emphasized that following Christ is not about enduring life's hardships alone. It is about willingly surrendering ourselves to God's will every day. Burdens Are Not the Cross Many Christians mistakenly believe that their cross is their illness, financial struggle, difficult marriage, or personal hardship. Pastor Melly explained that these are burdens, not the cross Jesus described. A burden is something that happens to us. God gives grace to help us carry those burdens. A cross, however, is something we willingly choose because of our commitment to Jesus Christ. Carrying the cross is an intentional act of obedience and discipleship. This misunderstanding often develops because believers repeat famili...