Carrying the Cross of Jesus

We have been talking about things that can block the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives.   For Jesus said that whoever would believe in Him that out of His inner most being would flow rivers of living water.    That flow can be blocked and when that happens it feels like  our connection to God is broken.    So far we have studied two out of seven things that can block the flow.  First is condemnation.   We have to let go of our mistakes and short comings and accept ourselves, and value ourselves JUST LIKE WE ARE.    The second thing we studied is guilt.   We must move past carrying blame and shame and accept the grace and forgiveness of God.  If you spend a life time blaming yourself, non of that will change one thing.  Let go of the blame and shame and walk in the newness of the grace of God.  Today we are going to look at love.    A lack of giving love to others will block the flow of the Holy Spirit in your life.

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.

God is love.  If we stop up the flow of love to our fellow man we have just dammed up our whole inner being so that God can no longer flow.  What are some of the things that cause us to withhold our love?   HURTS.  Hurts are the main reason that people stop the flow of love out to their fellow man.    The world understands this, songs talking about "love hurts" and "breaking hearts" and the disappointment and pain of relationships.   When we open up our hearts to others, it leaves us vulnerable, and there are many people that will not accept this.  They close their hearts, close their compassion, and refuse to let charity flow to their fellow man.   They become afraid to love.

1 John 4:18 
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.


It was love that compelled Jesus to the cross.   And we are commanded to take up our cross and follow him.  Don't you think that Jesus was exposed and vulnerable while on the cross?  Yes.  He was all that and more.   It was a painful, terrible experience for sure.    What does it mean take up your cross and follow Him?   Does it mean to be killed or crucified as He.   It could come to that for some people, but for most of us it simply means to obey His Word, to love others as Christ loved us.

1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:


Opening your heart to love others, forgiving others, helping others, even though you know they are going to stab you in the back in the end is the same as carrying the cross of Jesus.  Yes, love hurts.  Love makes us vulnerable.   Giving love and compassion to others requires us to lay down a portion of our lives for the sake of others, but this is our cross.

Luke 14:27 And whosoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

As long as you are closed up, bitter, critical of mankind and unwilling to serve and help others you are blocking the flow of God from your life.

Open up the flow by forgiving, caring, reaching and giving.   amen.