Give Up, Pick Up

Give Up, Pick Up

Initially, giving up our life for the sake of the gospel is not always easy. First, we are committed to our families, jobs, and friends. We also submit ourselves to the needs of our flesh in what it wants. Furthermore, we pour out ourselves to a life of gain and contentment. Likewise, we work to see our goals accomplished by striving for a better life for those we love and for ourselves. To give up our life, truly for Jesus Christ, and to place it in his hands is for us to say, “My hope’s ‘my dreams’ and my way now is no longer no more, I will follow you My Lord and my life is yours.” “Do with me what is your will and purpose all for your glory”. We need him to come into our hearts purifying it and renewing a right spirit within us. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10) Changing us as is his will and purpose, to fulfill his plan for our lives. We must be a servant abiding by his word’ leaning not to our own understandings and serving a God of love to the uttermost. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6) Forsake not his word; for this cause choose not your way and your understanding, but allow him to work within you. We are the clay and he is the Potter, molding us in the image he would have us be.  He will create his divine will and purpose for our life for the great ministry of the Lord so souls may come to know Him. The time is short and at hand. Only in him, and him in us, by his spirit moving through us can we be used to submit obediently to his will.

We must first lay down our life; completely surrendering all, willing to submit to him, and obeying all his laws he gives unto us in his word. God has taught us to be separate from the world. We may be in this world, but we are not to be conformed to it. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2) Our number one priority should be Jesus Christ our Lord.  We should seek his kingdom of heaven up above and his righteousness. With that in mind being our reward, all things will be added unto us. For example, our family’s will he take care and give us perfect peace even when difficulties come their way. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) Our career will he direct in the manner of his will and providence. Our friends will respect with love the life we choose in Christ. We must strive to walk daily after his spirit so we may not fulfill the lust of the flesh. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:4)  The flesh is contrary to the spirit. The two do not get along, so we must be filled with God’s Holy Spirit guiding and directing us His way. However, to be completely surrendered to Jesus Christ is to not to be holding on to things of this world. But instead, allowing Jesus through his word to clean up all sin we have in our hearts, and thinking as with the mind of Christ and with a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind. For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)