Cross Carrying and In Denial

Dear Camille,

I want to have a heart to heart with you about Christianity 101.  I have learned, my girl, that most people only get it half right, which makes for a half-hearted Christian life.  When on the day that you decide that you cannot do life alone and pray to accept Christ as your Lord, you at that point will have met the denial requirement.  (By the way, I pray daily for you to come to the saving knowledge of Christ.  Darling, there is no other way.)  Many Christians understand that they are supposed deny themselves and make Jesus Lord of their life.  They get it right because they know that they no longer rule their own life, where they miss it is bringing the cross to the world.  Bringing the cross to the world?  Yes, that is exactly what I said!  Many people often misunderstand what this means as well.  Bringing the cross, for many people, represents salvation.  While, God has commanded us to go into the world and share the good news, that is not the point that I am making here.  Bringing the cross to the world means more than just salvation.  Bringing the cross means that you bring to the world everything that the cross represents. So what exactly does the cross represent: love, freedom, forgiveness, victory, sacrifice, kindness, goodness, mercy, and grace.  The list could really go on and on about all of the qualities that the cross showed, but this list will suffice for our discussion.  When you walk into the world daily, you should be bringing the love, the mercy, the kindness, and the grace to others.  Even if others are undeserving,  you should be bringing them these qualities through your speech and your actions so that they can do nothing but see Christ through you.  This is the second half of what a Christian must do.  Yes, to do these things, you must first deny yourself, or it cannot be done.  But, once you have chosen to take on the character of Christ you must bring the cross to the world. Sweet girl, I know that you will be a shining example of Christ and will bring his love to the world.  I already see you display so many precious qualities and I know you will continue to grow in Christ's love.
I love you always,
Mommy


Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  Matthew 16:24