The author, Warren Hathaway, sets forth a number of essentials he believes each Christian should attempt to follow as they take up their cross and follow Jesus. You might even call these essentials a statement of faith โ or at least excerpts from a statement of faith. This statement of faith has three dimensions:
- what we should believe in our understanding,
- why we are justified in holding these beliefs, and
- what our behavior should be based on these beliefs.
The authors shares his personal views on these vital issues. Beyond being born again, he firmly believes that the Triune God has expectations for us as followers of Christ โ essentials that form the focus of this book.
The author outlines and explores five topics related to taking up our cross and following Jesus. These five topics are closely related and include: (a) the nature of God, (b) God’s plans and expectations for us, (c) God’s kingdom come and God’s will being done on earth, (d) the power of the cross of Christ, and (e) the act of taking up our own cross. It is this last essential that provides the overall theme of the book.
