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For many, the Christian faith journey begins in a familiar setting—perhaps a church pew—yet one’s early understanding of it—its consequences, its rewards, its trials and tribulations—often remains shallow.
It is common to mistake faith for mere moralism, a pursuit of goodness and right actions, while missing its heart.
That deeper understanding only becomes clear when we turn a more serious gaze toward the cross.
The cross of Jesus Christ is not merely a symbol of what He endured on earth and His sacrifice for all of us; it is the universal turning point.
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As illustrated in works such as Ashley D. Wille’s My Journey Through the Cross, the path of faith involves learning the profound lessons embedded in Christ’s sacrifice. This journey is rarely a straight line.
For it is a walk marked by spiritual growth milestones, moments of pain, and great hope—a sustained practice of walking with Christ through every season of life.
The cross teaches that an authentic Christian faith journey must evolve from simply knowing about God to truly knowing Him. This transformation begins with a personal comprehension of what Jesus accomplished.
The Starting Line of a Christian Faith Journey
For God so loves the world, that He has given His only begotten Son; that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. —John 3:16
Many Christians often begin their faith with a simple, accepting belief in the gospel truth.
Yet, as authors like Ashley Wille note, this is just the beginning.
The real journey of faith begins when that truth begins to enact internal change: a pivotal first step involves recognizing one’s own need.
The cross simultaneously reveals the severe cost of sin and the astounding length of God’s love.
This profound moment of realization marks the first major milestone in Biblical discipleship—the point where striving for self-salvation ceases and trust is placed fully in Jesus’s finished work.
This decision initiates a lifelong process of strengthening Christian identity.
The Lesson of Surrender at the Cross
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone will follow Me, let him forsake himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. —Matthew 16:24
Upon beginning to follow Jesus, believers quickly learn that the Christian faith journey involves surrender.
The cross stands as the ultimate model, where Jesus surrendered His will to the Father.
To walk with Him requires learning the same posture, often the most challenging part of becoming a true Christian, as it means relinquishing personal plans and desires.
This surrender represents a critical turning point in one’s spiritual growth.
Following Christ is not about a guarantee of ease, but about joining in His work, even in difficulty, for the promise of something that is eternal.
Finding Strength in Weakness
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you. For My power is made perfect through weakness.” Therefore, rather, I will very gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. —2 Corinthians 12:9
While the world encourages hiding weakness, the cross presents a peculiar paradox, for on the cross, Jesus appeared utterly weak, yet that moment constituted His greatest victory and His greatest strength.
On their own journeys, believers inevitably face trials and failures.
These are not indications of God’s absence but are often the very contexts where His presence is felt most powerfully.
In human weakness, reliance on God’s strength becomes essential.
This reliance is central to Biblical discipleship, shaping character and crucially strengthening Christian identity.
Believers learn and internalize that they are children of a faithful God, their identities secure in Him, regardless of the circumstance that comes.
The Cross and Our Daily Walk
I am crucified with Christ, but I live; yet not I anymore, but Christ lives in me. And, in that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith in the Son of God, Who has loved me and given Himself for me. —Galatians 2:20
The Christian faith journey involves daily choices to live out the reality of the cross: offering forgiveness because one has been forgiven, extending grace because it has been received, and loving others with as much conviction as Christ did, loving every one of us.
This daily walking with Christ transforms our own personal conduct and how we engage with the world.
True spiritual growth becomes visible in the practical virtues of patience, kindness, humility, and faithfulness in small things; it is where faith becomes tangible, shaping every sphere of existence.
How Pain Leads to Purpose
For I consider the afflictions of this present time unworthy of the Glory which shall be shown to us. —Romans 8:18
No life is ever free from pain, but on a Christian faith journey, suffering is not meaningless.
The cross forever redefined suffering for Christians. It was Jesus’s pain that led to the world’s salvation.
When entrusted to God, personal pain can likewise yield purpose—cultivating compassion, preparing one to comfort others, and deepening trust in God.
This perspective represents an advanced stage of faith, shifting the question from why is this happening to God, what are you teaching, and how can this be used for good?
It is a sign of maturity, acknowledging that God is present in the valley, using every experience to shape individuals and equip them to point others toward Him.
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The Personal Journey and the Cross
Every Christian faith journey is unique, yet each genuine path must pass by the cross of Jesus because it remains the center of hope and the lessons learned of surrender, strength in weakness, daily discipleship, and purpose in pain—these provide a lifetime’s guidance.
They mark spiritual growth milestones and define what walking with Christ truly means.
For those seeking to understand their own Christian faith journey more deeply, to find hope in hardship, and to grasp how the cross changes everything, such resources can be valuable companions for the road toward a strengthened Christian identity.
Works such as Ashley D. Wille’s My Journey Through the Cross serve as guides for this path, offering honest reflection on struggles and discoveries.
