(Matthew 16: 24) So many people take this verse to mean that if you want to be a Christian you must endure a life of suffering to be found worthy of God and to enter the kingdom of heaven, but that's just not true. You could suffer everyday of your life for the gospel sake and still be unworthy to enter the presence of God. We are only allow to enter the presence of God because of the cross and the price that was paid there by our Lord Jesus Christ; our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). We are saved by grace! "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God." (Ephesians 2:8). But God do expect us to live a certain way - a way worthy of the salvation that Jesus' suffering paid for, not our own. Jesus didn't just live any old way while on earth, He lived in a manner that pleased the Father and is our "Perfect role model". Also, Jesus didn't spend everyday of His life suffering nor did He teach a message of suffering; He preached a message of power, He healed, He fed, He counseled, He delivered, and He walked in faith. Once we make up in our minds that we want to be followers of Christ, we have to turn from the things we used to do (our sinful ways) and pickup our cross, which is our faith in God (for without faith it's impossible for us to please God (Hebrews 11:6)) and then follow Him. #Inspiration #SpiritualInspiration #Encouragement #Trust #Faith #God #Jesus #HolySpirit #GodWantsUsToBeEncouraged #Trust #The #Lord #KnowYourCross #FollowJesus https://www.instagram.com/p/CdquvQMOgTJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=