Monday, June 7, 2010

Just Give Up.

One of the areas we usually study before we take on the waters of baptism are the requirements for being a disciple of Jesus Christ. One of those requirements is "giving up." And no, not give up like "throw in the towel..." - As a Christian, we need to be prepared to give up EVERYTHING in this earthly life for God. A lot of really GOOD people have a difficult time with this concept... Think about the example of the rich young ruler in Luke 18:18-23. Here's a man who had fit many of the requirements that Jesus was mentioning to him - except for one. When Jesus tells Him that in order to be a follower he must go sell everything he owns, he becomes very sad because he knew he had so much... We have to understand that we cannot hold on to ANYTHING this world has to offer us.

We cannot be putting anything in front of God. - Not our possessions, or our families. or ourselves... Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:24-25 "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever his life for me will find it..."

Sometimes we just need to be reminded of why we're here. - What our purpose is.. We're to live for Jesus. We're to bring more souls to Him. It's not about money. It's not about possessions. It's not about fame... It's about getting to Heaven and bringing as many souls as possible with us.

So as you evaluate your own life - have you "given up" yet? Or are there still things you're holding on to?

2 comments:

  1. Ryan,
    such good thoughts from you on this evening.
    I'm continually encouraged by the things you express from your heart and those things on your mind. I'm so thankful that you're so conscious of pleasing God and trying to do the right thing all the time.
    thank you,

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  2. Ryan,
    sorry; Chase was over this evening and obviously was signed in on my computer. Anyway, my comment
    on your June 7th blog looks like it came under HomeEncounter.
    Still........good article.
    dad

    ReplyDelete