Whatever you left behind for that relationship you enter into is the sacrifice; our relationship with God requires that we leave something behind, something that we are used to, that is not suitable for our newfound relationship. The lifestyle that has become part of us from the beginning, contrary to the plan of God for us.
John 10:17 (Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father).
Jesus Christ left his Father in heaven and came to earth to build a relationship with us, and we also need to leave whatever we know behind and reciprocate his love. Abraham left his father´s house and kindred to build a relationship with God. When it comes to our love for God, He hates competition; whatever we cannot lay on the altar as a sacrifice of our love for God has become our idol, and God hates idolatry. The power to lay down and take it again has been given to us by redemption because as Christ is, so we are in this world (1 John 4:17). Sacrifice is the proof of our love for Jesus. He said if you value your life more than your relationship with him, you cannot be his disciple. He has to be number one in everything; something precious must be sacrificed on the altar for the relationship to be cemented. The good thing about our sacrifice is that what we give will be given back to us in multiple forms. Jesus Christ gained back his life, and then many sons and daughters were born to God. He was given a name that is above every other name. The reason many people's stories are not changing is that of idolatry; Abraham became the father of nations by sacrifice. As followers of Jesus and children of Abraham, we have the same power to lay down our idols and pick up our cross. Picking up a cross means being like Jesus by following his footsteps.
The rich man refused to pick up his cross and follow Jesus; he did not want to be like Jesus; he did not want to sacrifice his luxurious lifestyle and pleasures for the Gospel. He values his life more than his love for God. Peter, on the other hand, left everything, including family and the comfort of his home, and moved in with Jesus. Jesus also spelled out their benefit just like Abraham and God. Our prayer should be. O Lord, give me power to lay down my life. You are not going to die physically, but your present lifestyle that defies God's agenda must die.
Genesis 22:5 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
If you are not ready to leave your former lifestyle that defies what God represents, then you are not ready for a relationship with Jesus. It is called sacrifice because that habit has become part of you, and it cannot be part of your relationship with God, which means by all means you must drop it.
Matthew 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
We are to cleave with him in holy matrimony, glue with him. He is holy, and we cannot force our uncleanness on him; it will not work.
Love is all about sacrifice; if you are not ready to lay down your life, you are not in love. Sacrifice means denying yourself of immediate pleasure for the glory ahead. Jesus denied himself of the heavenly glory that he came to this world with; he left his throne, he made himself of no reputation, and took the form and likeness of man to rescue us from the hand of Satan. Giving our lives to Jesus means total surrender of our willpower and letting Him rule and reign through us. He did not redeem us to be a nonentity. He redeemed us as kings and priests unto our God, and we are to reign in his name because He is the king of kings.
Mark 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, 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 brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come.
Jesus has all the power to lay down his life and to take it again, but he chose to obey the commandment of the Father and lay it down. When we have the power to say no and choose to say yes, by doing the right things, it is called love. God has given every man the power to say no or yes, and that is why he is not forcing us to obey his commandment. He is not forcing us to serve him. The choice to obey his commandment has been given to us; whatever we decide to do will determine where we stand with him. Love is not by force; it is a choice, and that is why people can decide to be in love with the wrong people or the wrong thing. Everyone is going to live by their choice; you can´t blame someone else for the choice you made with your eyes wide open. Love has a language, and only those who are in love with God can understand and speak the language. Only the sheep who are of the same fold can recognise and hear the voice of their shepherd. Jesus said we should love our brothers, and our proof of love for our brothers is to lay down our lives for them so they can become one with us and follow one shepherd.
Friends, are you withholding something from God? Are you ready to surrender all as a sacrifice for your love for him? If your answer is yes, quickly pray this salvation prayer below and lay them down at his feet. God bless you.
Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins and accept You as my Lord and Saviour. I believe you died for me so that I could become a new man/woman. Forgive me all my sins, wash me with your blood, and give me a new heart. Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul. Now I believe I am born again. And I am a child of God. Amen!
NENE ISAH,
#womanyouarefree; Twitter: @woyouarefree; Email: neneisahoc@gmail.com
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