The Cross--Its Implications for Others

A reminder from T. A. Hegre's book The Cross and Sanctification that we bear our cross for others:

"The saintly Samuel Rutherford said, 'It is folly to think to steal to heaven with a whole skin.' Luther said, 'God's mark is upon everything that obeys Him. No tree bears fruit for its own use, nor eats of its own fruit. The sun does not shine to warm itself. In God's will everything gives itself.' Only Satan and men under his influence seek their own. Everything that 'seeks its own' closes itself to the inflow and outflow of divine love.

"That pioneer warrior for Christ, C. T. Studd, knew the power that came through crucifixion of self. When almost at heaven's gate, he was urged to retire and take it easy. A friend wrote him saying in the language of his old sport, cricket, 'You've played good innings, not out; now it is time for you to declare, and hand the bat to a younger man; then I will see that you spend your last days in comfort.' After thanking his friend most sincerely, Mr. Studd answered, 'I'm captain of a small army. The enemy is pressing on the right hand, on the left, and in front. Our hands are cleaving to our swords. What, shall I turn my back upon the enemy and leave my little force to fight alone? Never! I will die with the sword in my hand.' And so he did! Incidentally, ten thousand Christians who had been raw heathen when he came to the field sixteen years before, attended a memorial service a year after his death.

"We must preach Christ and His highest call with the widest and deepest application of the Cross so that the believer may be delivered from the power of sin, Satan, the world, and the flesh. We are commissioned to make not nominal Christians but disciples . . . This is the day of grace, and we still have the opportunity of a great revival. We would have the greatest revival the world has ever had if Christians would return to Biblical, Christ-centered, cross-bearing Christianity.

"Is it too much for our Lord to expect us to leave all and take up our cross and follow Him? One look at Calvary and at Christ's thorn-crowned head, marred face, blistered hands, blood-stained feet, spear-pierced side, scourged, torn, wound-scarred body and sin-crushed heart should awaken in us such unutterable love for Him that we would count it a joy to know the fellowship of His sufferings.

"Wilbur Chapman looked into the rugged face of General Booth [co-founder of the Salvation Army] one day and asked, 'What is the secret of your power and success?' Tears came and stole down his cheek. Then brushing back the hair from his brow, furrowed through years of battles, trials, and victories, he said, 'I will tell you the secret. God had all of me there was to have. There have been men of greater opportunity, but from the day I caught a vision of what Jesus Christ could do, I gave all to Him.' That is the spirit we need today.

Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand;
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned;
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And pierced are the feet that follow Me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who has no wound nor scar?

-- Amy Carmichael