Saturday, January 23, 2010

Forsaking All things for Jesus Christ


Forsaking All for Jesus Christ.

To truly serve God one must come to the understanding that nothing in this world is of any real value.

They must understand to keep everything in its proper perspective as they walk uprightly through a corrupt world.

A great example of this can be found in the book of Luke chapter 5.

We find two men that were partners in the fishing business returning from an unproductive day of business.

These two men find themselves coming into contact with Jesus unknowingly that He is the key to life.

After indirectly hearing Him speak of His ways to a group of others standing on the seashore they knew that there was something special about Jesus Christ.

Then Jesus blessed the men for the use of their boat and they recognized that nothing in their lives would ever be more valuable than to walk with Jesus.

Luke Chapter 5 verse 11 says, “ And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.”

In other words they left off from caring about earthly business, their families, their homes, their wealth, their relationships, etc.

The Bible teaches us that in order to truly serve God you have to be willing to let any and everything go if God requires it.

An example of this can be found in the book of Luke Chapter 14 verse 26.

When Jesus says, “ If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

Exodus 20:3 “ thou shall have no other gods before me.”

Exodus 34:14 “ For thou shall worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is jealous, is a jealous God.”

Many people have been taught another Jesus Christ, one that would not put such demands on His followers, but it is a false Jesus Christ!

In the book of Mark chapter 10 verse 37 Jesus says, “ He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” 38 “ And he that does not take up his cross, and follow after me, is not worthy of me.”

We can see here that there is no misunderstanding concerning what it will take to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.

I know what many of you are saying, “ I don’t like that.” “I don’t want to follow a God like that.” “ That is to much to ask of me.”

It is recorded that there are many others that feel the way you do. An example of this can be found in the book of John chapter 6 verses 60-66 where we find many disciples leaving Jesus after hearing what He expected of them.

Verse 60 “ Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard this said, this is an hard saying; who can hear it?
61 “ When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, does this offend you?
62 “ What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?”
63 “ It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profit nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
64 “ But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65 “ And he said, “Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given him of my Father.”
66 “ From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”

This is the very reason why the Bible says, “ many are called but few are chosen.”

Everyone doesn’t have what it takes to be a servant of Jesus Christ.

Everyone doesn’t possess the strength to forsaking all the thing of this world for God.

In the book of Luke Chapter 9 we will find examples of people who wanted to follow Jesus but did not have what it takes to do it.

Verse 57 “ And it came to pass, that as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 “ And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has not a place to lay his head.”
59 “ And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord suffer me first to go bury my father.”
60 “ Jesus said unto him, let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.”
61 “ And another also said, Lord I will follow you, but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.”
62 “ And Jesus said unto him, No man having put his hand to the plough (plow) and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

In other words, when there is a true calling on your life, nothing will stop you from answering that calling.

You cannot fulfill what God has for you to do, focusing on your finances, on your real estate, on your emotions, and on your past.

Your mind has to be made up that it is going to be God’s way or no way.

It is recorded in the book of Mark chapter 10 that a rich man wanted to follow Jesus and could not.

Jesus asked the rich man to forsake all that he had, he asked him to forsake his riches but the man went away crying.

Mark 10 starting at verse 28 one of his disciples began to say, “ Lo, we have left all, and have followed you.”
29 “ And Jesus answered and said, verily I say unto you, there is no man that has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,”
30 “ But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”

Will you forsake all things for Christ sake?

Abraham was willing to forsake his son Isaac for God and God blessed his obedience. Hebrews 11:17-19

Moses forsook the chance to be called the son of Pharaoh and denied all the earthly riches associated with it to serve God. Hebrews 11:24-27

Peter forsook his wife, his business, his boat and much more to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Mark 10:28

The Bible says, “ What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul or what shall a man exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26

Is your love for your child greater than you love for God?
Is your love for your wife greater than your love for God?
Is your love for your husband greater than your love for God?
Is your love for your business and earthly accomplishment greater than your love for God?
Is your love for fleshly and lustful desires greater than your love for God?
Is your love for alcohol and drugs greater than your love for God?

Forsaking all things for Jesus is the only true way to serve Him and you will be blessed for doing so.

God bless you

Until next time

Minister Lamar F. Porter

Most High God Ministries

1/23/2010