Comfort vs. the Cross

Written by Mrs. Ashley Arinder

The danger of comfortable Christianity:

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24

Christianity was never meant to be comfortable. We live in a culture of convenience, comfort, and impatience. Jesus didn't call His followers to an easy life but to a CROSS. It's tempting to settle into a faith that costs us nothing-where we serve when it's convenient, give when we have extra, and speak of Christ only when it's safe. But when we look at the disciples and martyrs of the early church, we see a different picture: a costly, courageous faith.

In Matthew 4, Peter, Andrew, James, and John left their nets and boats-their livelihoods- to follow Jesus.

In Luke 5, Matthew left the security of his tax booth.

In Mark 12, the poor widow gave all she had to live on.

Following Christ means surrendering stability, income, and identity.

Have we become too attached to our own "nets" - our routines, comforts, and securities - that we're unwilling to fully follow Jesus?

Paul was beaten, imprisoned, and shipwrecked and yet he said: "I consider everything at a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord."

John was exiled to Patmos, yet still received and recorded Revelation.

Stephen boldly proclaimed Christ even as stones flew at him.

Peter was crucified upside down. Thomas was pierced with spears. James was beheaded.

They remind us that our faith without cost is hollow. Will we stand firm in our faith and testimony even when it's unpopular and risky? Even when bullets may fly for our faith?

Comfortable Christianity asks 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘯?

Cross-carrying Christianity asks 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥?

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲?