What Have I Given Up For God

My Pastor asked that question recently. It is a good question for each of us to ask ourselves. Knowing the Lord is worth anything and everything we might give up. Honestly asking that question might help us to give up more things that He knows we really don*t need. He knows what is harmful for us to keep and what is good for us to keep.

I have given up nothing of great value. I have given up some things that my flesh thought were valuable. I gave up some things that I thought were valuable and important before I gave them up but they are no longer valuable to me. The things Jesus has replaced them with are MORE valuable. There are some things that I have been willing to give up which the Lord has permitted me to keep. They are more of a blessing now and I enjoy them more. What I have given up would have been harmful to me. There were some things that I didn*t really give up. It was more like I lost them or the Lord took them and I am not interested in getting them back.

One very harmful thing that I lost was some of my stubborn ignorance of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I gave up some fair-weather friends. I gave up some dishonest friends. I now have numerous trust-worthy friends. I have some new enemies. I am glad I have them. I gave up some imitation love. I am now loved by many Christians. I gave up some fleeting happiness. I gave up some temporary pleasures.

I gave up the respect of certain unbelievers. I have gained the respect of many believers. I gave up a lot of guilt. I gave up my worst fears and worries. I gave up my own helplessness. I gave up my desperation. I gave up my unrest. I gave up many sins and I receive forgiveness whenever I commit a sin and confess it. I gave up the long-lasting feeling that no one could possibly love me. I gave up a lot of the faith that I had in myself. My faith in myself was often disappointed anyway. The Bible word for that is pride.

Faith is being willing to give up what God wants us to give up. Unbelief wants to give up nothing. I have met many individuals that have been unwilling to receive Jesus because there was something they did not want to give up. They may not admit what it is, but I believe that EVERYONE who refuses to receive Jesus does that because there is something they are not willing to give up for Him.

There are also many Christians that are unwilling to give up things for the Lord. They are immature and carnal Christians. The less we are willing to give up for the Lord the less fulfilled and joyful we will be.

Care to discuss What Have I Given Up For God with Ron?

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