Mark 8:34 reads, “…Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (KJV). Jesus here bade all to follow Him but acknowledged there is a price to be paid. Because most are unwilling to pay the price, they choose to follow their own way and be lost. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). “His cross” here is not the Lord’s cross, but rather, it is our own cross! It involves a denial of self. The most important thing in the world after becoming a Christian is no longer oneself but God’s will. We practice self-discipline. Romans 12:1-2 declares, “I beseech you… that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Included here are both inner and outer struggles pertaining to living the Christian life. Whatever burdens, trials or hardships come our way as a consequence of following Christ are to be patiently borne. Second Timothy 3:12 tells us, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus

Colossians 3:5 tells us to mortify sin in our lives. To mortify means, “to make dead, to put to death, slay.” Five things are specifically mentioned (a host of others are found throughout the New Testament). The first item on the list is “fornication.” It is defined as “illicit sexual intercourse.” It includes men with women and men/women with animals. Its definition is very clear and understandable. First Corinthians 6:13 says, “the body is not for fornication.” By observation, though, you would not know fornication is evil (immoral). It is on display all around us: movies, television, music, videos, songs, magazines, books. The thoughts and intents of people’s hearts are filled with wickedness continually (cf. Genesis 6:5). First John 5:19 says, “The whole world lies in wickedness.” However, God tells us to “flee fornication” (1 Corinthians 6:18) and put it to death. When we obey the Gospel, we put away the old man of sin and walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-18). How about you?