Rejecting the cross - they will lose the crown!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"If any man will come after Me - let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me!" Matthew 16:24

Our Lord and Savior plainly states that discipleship involves self-denial. He who would tread in the steps of Christ - must be prepared to take up his cross. It was no path of flowery ease that the Savior trod - and anyone who would follow Him must be determined . . .
  to resist self and sin,
  to accept the world's scorn, and
  to take up any cross that might lie in the path of obedience and service.

Those who habitually consult their own ease, who indulge sinful self, and will not take up a cross for Christ - are not His true disciples. Rejecting the cross - they will lose the crown!

Surely, the remembrance of the Cross that Jesus bore for us, and on which He bled and died to redeem us from the curse of the law and all the fearful consequences of sin - should lead us cheerfully to take up any cross that we might be called to bear for Him.
 

Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee.
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence, my all shall be!

Go, then, earthly fame and treasure,
Come disaster, scorn and pain.
In Thy service, pain is pleasure,
With Thy favor, loss is gain!

I have called Thee Abba Father,
I have stayed my heart on Thee.
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me!

Soon shall close my earthly mission,
Soon shall pass my pilgrim days.
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise!
   ~ Henry Lyte