Crown and the cross vs Crown without the cross

The "40 Day Fast and Pray Manual" has been very thought provoking. I picked up the following extract from Day 7's reading:

"But the problem with many of us today, is that we want shortcuts. We claim the crown without the cross. We avoid suffering at all cost. We seek glory from one another in this present evil age. We identify with the Risen Christ on his throne. But are we willing to walk with the lowly Jesus from Gethsemane to Golgotha?"

How true!!

Today's Christendom is rife with prosperity,  success and good health. Very seldom we hear about suffering, sacrifice or the like. If any of the negative is mentioned , to always because something positive is about to happen. 

Going on a mission trip is considered suffering for Christ. Missing a meal is considered a great sacrifice. These are the comments I hear from Christians these days. we are willing to spend big money on holidays and great meals but hardly any contributions to win the lost. Our givings are mere handouts, just to appease our conscience. Unlike the poor widow who gave her all or our Lord who gave His life. I wonder where we will stand if persecution indeed was to strike out land. 

I am persuaded that the crown will always come with the cross. Both are intricately intertwined. You can;t have glory without the shame. Look at the Master himself.

Phi 2:8-11 - And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,  to the glory of God the Father.

The early church considered it a privilege to suffer for Christ. 

"Bishop Ignatius of Antioch was escorted to Rome under militaryguard to die for his faith. He saw this as an opportunity to imitatethe suffering Christ. He had in uential friends in Rome. They were ready to pull strings to get him off the hook. But he wouldn’t have it.Along the way he wrote them a letter begging them not to meddlewith his martyrdom: Now I begin to be a disciple. Let re and cross, ocks of beasts, broken bones, dismemberment come upon me, solong as I attain to Jesus Christ.Has your Christian life cost you anything at all?"

Let's ask some hard questions: What has following Christ cost you? If it hasn't, its time to go on our knees and reconsider our commitment.