The message of the cross is central to the Christian faith – but it’s not just something we believe in. It’s something we live by. The cross wasn’t only the means of our salvation; it is also the model of our lifestyle. And that lifestyle runs completely counter to the world around us.

In a culture that exalts self – self-care, self-expression, self-promotion – the call of Jesus is jarring: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24). The cross is not an accessory. It’s a symbol of surrender.

Living a cross-shaped life means dying to our own agendas, ambitions, and comforts so that the life of Christ can be seen in us. Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”(Galatians 2:20). That’s not poetic language – it’s a spiritual reality.

We live in a world obsessed with individual rights, personal brand, and maximum convenience. But Jesus models the opposite. He emptied Himself, took on the nature of a servant, and became obedient to death – even death on a cross (Philippians 2:7–8). And He calls us to do the same.

This doesn’t mean abandoning joy or purpose. Quite the opposite. The paradox of the Christian life is that true joy is found not in serving ourselves, but in serving others. True freedom is found in surrender. Jesus said, “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39).

The cross-shaped life also redefines success. In God’s Kingdom, greatness is measured by humility, not status. Influence is measured by love, not platform. Impact is measured by obedience, not results. It’s not about how many people follow us – but how closely we follow Christ.

Living this way requires daily choice. We must choose to forgive when we’d rather retaliate. To give when it costs. To love when it’s inconvenient. To speak truth with grace, even when it’s unpopular. This is what it means to carry our cross.

The world needs to see the Gospel – not just preached, but lived. Not just in pulpits, but in coffee shops, offices, homes, and schools. The cross-shaped life is the clearest testimony we can offer in a world that desperately needs hope.

And when we live this way – laying down our lives, lifting up Christ – God does something beautiful. He takes what the world sees as weakness and uses it to show His power.

So let’s not just believe in the cross. Let’s live it.

Let our lives be shaped by sacrifice, saturated with grace, and marked by a love that looks like Jesus.