◄ The offense of the cross. ►

If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. § We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.

Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. § To you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” and “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.”

God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. § I have been crucified with Christ. § Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. § If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.