舍己和背十字架

Denying yourself and bearing the cross（舍己和背十字架）

"Denying yourself" and "bearing the cross" are phrases commonly used in Christian teachings to describe the principles of self-sacrifice and following Jesus Christ. They carry deep spiritual and ethical implications.

Denying yourself refers to the act of putting aside your own desires, ego, and self-centeredness in order to align your will with God's will. It involves surrendering your own agenda and submitting to God's authority and guidance. It requires humility, self-discipline, and a willingness to prioritize God's purposes above personal comfort or ambition. By denying oneself, a person acknowledges their dependence on God and seeks to live a life that reflects Christ's selfless love.

Bearing the cross is a metaphor that originates from Jesus' teachings in the New Testament. In the time of Jesus, the cross symbolized suffering, shame, and even death. Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23, NIV). Bearing the cross involves willingly accepting and enduring hardships, trials, and persecution that may come as a result of following Jesus and living according to His teachings. It represents a willingness to sacrificially serve and love others, even in the face of adversity or opposition.

Together, denying yourself and bearing the cross emphasize the sacrificial nature of discipleship. They call believers to a life of selflessness, obedience, and dedication to God's kingdom. It means prioritizing spiritual values, embracing the cost of discipleship, and being willing to suffer for the sake of righteousness. Ultimately, it is about living a life that reflects the character of Christ and being transformed by His love and grace.

"舍己"和"背起十字架"是基督教教义中常用的词语，用来描述自我牺牲和跟随耶稣基督的原则。它们具有深刻的属灵和伦理含义。

"舍己"指的是放下自己的欲望、自我和以自我为中心，以使自己的意愿与上帝的意愿一致。它涉及放弃个人的计划，顺服上帝的权威和引导。它需要谦卑、自律和愿意将上帝的目的置于个人的舒适或抱负之上。通过自我否定，一个人承认自己对上帝的依赖，并寻求过上反映基督无私爱的生活。

"背起十字架"是一个比喻，源自新约中耶稣的教导。在耶稣时代，十字架象征着痛苦、耻辱，甚至死亡。耶稣说："若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，天天背起他的十字架来跟从我"（路加福音9:23，和合本）。背起十字架意味着自愿接受和忍受因跟随耶稣和按照他的教导生活而带来的困难、试炼和逼迫。它代表着愿意牺牲地为他人服务和爱他人，即使面对逆境或反对。

舍己和背起十字架共同强调了门徒训练的牺牲性质。它们呼召信徒过上无私、顺服和致力于上帝的国度的生活。它意味着优先考虑属灵价值，接受门徒的代价，并愿意为了公义而忍受痛苦。最终，这是关于过上一个反映基督品格、被他的爱和恩典改变的生活。