Romans 6:3-5 — Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin.

We’re reading an Andrew Murray Devotional at bedtime at the moment. The burden of this month’s messages have been about the meaning of the cross, and Christ’s death, for a Christian’s life.
Somewhere along the way, as we read, this little tagline popped into my mind. I know it can’t be original, but I don’t remember hearing it, and it has increasingly resonated with me as we get through the month.
The idea carries a real challenge for us.
Jesus said that if we wished to be His disciples we should take up our crosses and follow Him. There’s a logical conclusion to that idea. Where do you think you are going with that cross? What’s going to happen when you lay it down?
It’s really uncomfortable isn’t it? Well, at least it is for me, I guess I can’t really speak for you! But if you’re anything like me, the truth is that you know you should be dead to sin, but you still sin, and you know you should be dead to the world, but sometimes you still get tangled up in worldly concerns.
The standard is, in human terms, hopelessly high. In my own strength I cannot possibly achieve it. Nothing in my life can be driven by my own desires. Everything must be driven by my Father’s desires. My time is never my own, but only ever at His disposal. My possessions are only to be used in His service, they are not my own. My death will not be my own, it will be in the manner He chooses, at His time, to suit His purposes. I cannot possibly live up to that in my own strength.
Day in day out, moment by moment, I should be seeking the filling of the Holy Spirit, drawing on His strength to carry my cross. I know that if I can be together with Jesus in His death, I will be together with Him in His resurrection. I’m trying …