Jesus went to the cross to pay for our sins.  Therefore, you can be saved because he died for you.  But if you want to really live, you must take up your cross, too, Lk 9:23.

He’s not talking about taking up a cross as an emblem, like a crucifix or a necklace.  He’s talking about you literally taking your place on the cross with him, Rom 6:3-7; Gal 2:20.  The cross is:

Your place of rejection, Lk 9:23-26; Matt 10:37-38; 16:24-26.  Take up your cross daily.  Gal 6:14 it’s where the world is crucified to you and you are crucified unto world.   When this happens you will glory in the cross.

Your place of relationship, Phil 3:10.  You get to really know Jesus when you know the fellowship of his sufferings and you are made conformable to his death.  Paul said, I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.  According to Rom 6 we are crucified and buried with him.  Your old man is not only dead but you are buried out of sight where you can’t see out and others can’t see in.  In the tomb it’s just the two of you, Jesus and you.

Your place of renewal, Rom 12:1-2, Eph 4:22-24.  The cross is a great place to be.  It’s where you leave your old life behind and take up his new life.  This is where you really start living the eternal life you have been given.  Here you have victory over sin, and triumph like Jesus did, Col 2:14-15. 

Your place of rejoicing, 1 Pet 4:13.  When you partake of Christ’s sufferings you will be glad with exceeding joy.  As in 2 Cor 12:9-10 Paul took pleasure in reproaches and persecutions.  Jesus has already borne the wounds and suffering.  So, Paul calls this suffering “light affliction” 2 Cor 4:17.  I cannot explain the joy of the cross.  You have to experience it for yourself.  Then you’ll know.

Your place of reward, Rom 8:17-18.  2 Tim 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.  What a future you’ll enjoy with him.  It’s not possible to describe how great this reward is.  But Paul said “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us”.

Conclusion: Take up your cross.  On it you will make a break with the world and your old man and get in a right relationship with the Lord.  You will find exceeding joy and you will be generously rewarded in time to come.