Ellen Chat Conversation

In Ellen White’s analysis, taking up the cross is far more than simply enduring the common trials or persecutions that come from being a Christian. While many view the cross as the external troubles brought on by a confession of faith, she suggests a much deeper spiritual identification with Christ. To truly take up the cross means to share in the Redeemer’s own burden, which was the weight of the sin and sorrow of the entire world (GH May 1, 1898, par. 1). This involves a union of the believer’s heart with the divine love that moved Christ to sacrifice Himself for humanity (GH May 1, 1898, par. 1). The act of taking up the cross is inseparable from the practice of self-denial. Christ provides the ultimate example of this path, requiring nothing of His followers that He did not first model in His own life (1TT 366.2).

This path of self-denial is a daily requirement that stands in direct opposition to the inclinations of the world (6T 248). It often involves making difficult choices between Christ and worldly attractions, such as avoiding places of amusement where God’s presence is not found (EA 161.5). Following Christ means choosing to walk in His footsteps, which inevitably leads to encounters with the cross at every step of the journey (3SM 252.3).

Furthermore, this commitment is described as a condition of salvation that requires constant vigilance and prayer. Because Satan seeks to clothe sin with the appearance of good, the believer must be willing to lift the cross rather than trample it underfoot (EA 161.5). This involves a deliberate decision to dispense with everything unnecessary and to maintain a spirit of prayer while engaged in business, walking the streets, or in the family circle (PH087 1). By choosing Christ over earthly treasures and besetting sins, the believer is promised a divine Companion and an eternal weight of glory (PrT November 28, 1901, par. 9).

You might also want to explore:
What did Ellen White teach about the relationship between self-denial and character building?
How does the daily lifting of the cross relate to the process of sanctification?
What practical counsel did she give regarding how to distinguish between worldly amusements and true Christian recreation?