Read Mark 10:28-31. Part 2
I’m Willing To Give Up Everything For Jesus, EXCEPT….
Jesus said that everyone who is willing to leave everything, including one’s home, or father or mother, or children, or ones possessions, will indeed receive a hundred times as much in this present age in regards to home, family, and possessions. But with this also will come persecution on Earth but the greatest benefit and reward is eternal life in heaven.
Why is it easier for some to give up everything to follow Jesus, while others struggle so much to quit their job for Jesus, or leave their family for Jesus, or give up certain possessions for Jesus? I’d am curious what your thoughts are on this subject. As for me, two thoughts come to mind in answering these questions.
1. OWNERSHIP: If we come to the conclusion in our minds that everything we have actually belongs to the Lord, then for me, it makes it easier to give things up. But if I think everything I have IS MINE, then in my mind, it would make it hard to give things up. Just for a little clarification, everything I have is a gift from God and I should take great care of it. The relationships I have should be treated with love, dignity, and respect. The things that I own, I should take good care of. But I should always be ready to give something up for the Lord if he calls me to: family, home, car, or any earthly things.
2. ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE: I believe it would be easier to surrender things to the Lord if we looked at this from an ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE versus a TEMPORARY PLEASURE PERSPECTIVE. Jesus said we have blessings we will receive for our willingness to give things up for the Lord. Remember, the greatest blessing is eternal life in heaven with the Lord. We will be in the presence of the Lord with the family of God for eternity. To hold on to anything in this world is a TEMPORARY blessing. When we die, we lose it. Being willing to surrender TEMPORARY blessings on Earth results in receiving an ETERNAL blessing in heaven.
What would be hard for you to give up for Jesus if he called you too? His grace, mercy, and Holy Spirit will help us. Remember, it’s not yours, it’s God’s and he’s entrusting it into our hands for a period of time. At some point, we may be asked to give it up for the Lord’s sake. Try and look at this from an eternal perspective and not a temporary perspective.
