Take Up the Cross

That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
— 1 Peter 4:2

I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
— Psalm 119:19

Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
— Ezekiel 18:27-32

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 whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
— Matthew 16:24-25

Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
— Luke 13:23-30

Christian’s Answering the Call, While Bearing the His Burden, by John Bunyan. The following contains Chapters One and Two from his work, “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims—abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.
— 1 Peter 2:11

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
— Hebrews 11:13

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction—and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life—and there are few who find it.
— Matthew 7:13-14

THE CITY OF DESTRUCTION

As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I came upon a certain place, where there was a den—and I laid down in that place to sleep. And as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I dreamed, and, behold—I saw a man clothed with rags, standing with his face turned away from his own house, with a Book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back. I looked, and saw him open the Book, and read therein; and as he read, he wept and trembled! And not being able to contain himself any longer—he broke out with a lamentable cry, saying,”What shall I do?”

In this plight, therefore, he went home, and restrained himself as long as he could—so that his wife and children would not notice his great distress. But he could not be silent for long, because his trouble only increased. Therefore at length, he spoke his mind to his wife and children —and thus he began to talk to them: “O my dear wife, and you, my dear children—I am undone, because of this burden which lies heavily upon me! Moreover, I am certainly informed, that this city of ours will be burned with fire from Heaven! In that fearful catastrophe, both myself, with you, my wife, and you, my sweet babes—shall come to miserable ruin—unless some way of escape can be found, whereby we may be delivered.”

At this, his family was greatly bewildered—not that they believed what he had said to them was true—but because they thought that his mind had become deranged.

Therefore, as it was drawing towards night, and hoping that sleep might settle his brains—with all haste they put him to bed. But the night was as troublesome to him as the day—and instead of sleeping, he spent it in sighs and tears! When the morning came—they inquired how he felt. He told them,”Worse and worse!” He then commenced to talk to them again —but they began to be hardened. They also thought to drive away his derangement, by harsh and cruel conduct toward him. Sometimes they would deride him, sometimes they would chide him, and sometimes they would simply ignore him.

Therefore he began to withdraw himself to his room to pray for, and pity them—and also to comfort his own misery. He would also walk solitarily in the fields—sometimes reading, and sometimes praying. And thus for several days, he spent his time in this manner.

Now I saw in my dream, while he was walking in the fields, that he was reading in his Book—as was his habit. Being greatly distressed in his mind as he read—he burst out, as he had done before, crying,”What shall I do to be saved?”

I saw also, that he looked this way and that way—as if he wanted to run. Yet he stood still, because, as I perceived, he could not tell which way to go. I looked then, and saw a man named Evangelist coming towards him, who asked,”Why are you crying out?”

He answered,”Sir, I realize, by the Book in my hand—that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgment. And I find that I am not willing to do the first—nor able to do the second.”

Then Evangelist said,”Why are you not willing to die—since this life is attended with so many troubles?”

The man answered,”Because I fear that this burden upon my back will sink me lower than the grave—and I shall fall into Hell! And, Sir, if I am not fit to die—then I am sure that I am not fit to go to judgment, and from thence to execution! My thoughts about these things make me cry out!”

Then Evangelist said,”If this is your condition, why do you stand still?” He answered,”Because I do not know where to go!”

Then Evangelist gave him a parchment scroll—on which was written, “Flee from the wrath to come!”

The man therefore, reading it, looked very sincerely upon Evangelist, and asked,”Where must I flee?”

Then Evangelist, pointing with his finger over a very wide field, said,”Do you see yonder narrow-gate?”

The man answered,”No.”

Evangelist replied,”Do you see yonder shining light?”

He said,”I think I do.”

Then Evangelist said,”Keep that light in your eye, and go directly to it— and then you shall see the gate; at which—when you knock—you shall be told what you must do.”

So I saw in my dream, that the man began to run. Now, he had not run far from his own door—before his wife and children, seeing him depart, began to shout after him to return. But the man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying,”Life! life! Eternal life!”

So he did not look behind him—but fled towards the middle of the plain.

OBSTINATE AND PLIABLE

The neighbors also came out to see him run. As he ran—some mocked, others threatened, and some cried after him to return. Among those who did so, were two who were resolved to fetch him back by force. The name of the one was Obstinate—and the name of the other was Pliable. Now by this time, the man had gone a good distance away from them; but they were resolved to pursue him—and in a little while, they caught up with him.

Then the man said,”Neighbors, why have you come?”

They answered,”To persuade you to go back with us!”

But he said,”That cannot be! You dwell in the City of Destruction, the place where I also was born. I see that, sooner or later, dying there—we will sink lower than the grave—into a place which burns with fire and brimstone! Think, good neighbors, and come along with me!”

“What!” said Obstinate,”and leave our friends and our comforts behind us?”

“Yes,” said Christian, for that was his name,”because all that you shall forsake, is not worthy to be compared with a little of what I am seeking to enjoy. And if you will go along with me, and persevere—you shall fare as well as I myself. For there, where I am going, is more than enough—and to spare. Come along—and see that my words are true!”

“What are the things which you seek,” asked Obstinate,”since you are leaving all the world to find them?”

Christian answered,”I am seeking an inheritance which can never perish, spoil or fade—safe and reserved in Heaven—to be bestowed, at the appointed time—on those who diligently seek it. Read it so, if you will— here in my Book!”

“Nonsense!” cried Obstinate,”Away with your Book! Will you go back with us—or not?”

“No, not I!” said Christian,”Because I have put my hand to the plough— and will not turn back!”

“Come, then, neighbor Pliable,” said Obstinate,”let us go home without him. There are too many of these silly fools—who, when they get a crazy thought in their head—are wiser in their own eyes, than seven men who can think reasonably!”

“Do not revile him,” said Pliable,”if what Christian says is true—then the things which he follows after, are better than ours—and my heart is inclined to go with him!”

“What!” bellowed Obstinate,”More fools still! Take my word—and go back with me. Who knows where such a foolish fellow will lead you? Come back! Come back—and be wise!”

“No!” said Christian,”rather come along with me, Obstinate! We will receive such things as I spoke of—and many more indescribable blessings besides. If you do not believe me—then read here in my Book! These truths are all confirmed by the blood of Him who wrote it!”

“Well, neighbor Obstinate,” said Pliable,”I intend to go along with this good man—and to cast in my lot with him.”

Then Pliable turned to Christian and asked,”Do you know the way to this glorious place?”
Christian replied,”I have been directed by a man whose name is Evangelist, to hasten to the narrow-gate ahead of us—where we shall receive instructions about the Way.”

“Come then, good Christian—let us be going!” said Pliable. Then they began to travel along together.

“And I will go back to my place!” said Obstinate. “I will be no companion to such misled foolish fellows!”

Now I saw in my dream, that Obstinate went back—and Christian and Pliable went along towards the narrow-gate, conversing together.

“Neighbor Pliable,” said Christian,”I am glad you were persuaded to go along with me. Had Obstinate but felt what I have felt—of the powers and terrors of unseen realities—he would not have so easily turned back.”

Pliable replied,”Tell me further, Christian—what are these glorious things—and how are they to be enjoyed?”

“I can better understand them with my mind—than speak of them with my tongue!” said Christian. “But since you are desirous to know—I will describe them to you, from my Book.”

“And do you think that the words of your Book are really true?” asked Pliable.

“Yes, absolutely—for it was written by Him who cannot lie!” answered Christian.

“What are these glorious things of which you speak?” questioned Pliable.

“There is an eternal kingdom, and everlasting life—to be given to us, where we will dwell forever!” replied Christian.

“And what else is there?” asked Pliable.

“We will be given crowns of glory, and garments which shine like the sun!”

“This is wonderful!” exclaimed Pliable. “And what else will there be?”

“There will be no more crying, nor sorrow—for He who reigns over that place, will wipe all tears from our eyes!” responded Christian.

“And what company shall we have there?” Pliable inquired.

Christian answered,”There we shall be with Seraphim and Cherubim, creatures which will dazzle your eyes to look upon! There, also, you shall meet with thousands, and tens of thousands—who have gone ahead of us to that Place. They are all loving and holy—each one fully accepted by God—and standing in His presence. In a word—there we shall dwell with all the redeemed people of God, having golden crowns and golden harps! We shall also see those who—for the love which they bore to the Savior— were cut in pieces, burned in the flames, eaten by beasts, or drowned in the seas. They are all perfect, and clothed with immortality!”

“Just hearing of this, is enough to ravish one’s heart!” said Pliable. “How are these things to be enjoyed—and how can we obtain them?”

Christian responded,”The Lord, the Governor of that country, has recorded in His Book—that if we are truly willing to have it—He will bestow it upon us freely.”

“Well, my good companion,” said Pliable,”I am thrilled to hear of these things! Come—let us quicken our pace!”

“I cannot go so fast as I would,” answered Christian,”because of this burden which is on my back!”

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