Have you made Jesus, Lord?
To serve Christ to the fullest, we must forsake all. Because we’ve given our life to Him, we must take our hands off the steering wheel and give Him the driver seat. We must decrease and He must increase (Jn 3:30). This kind of statement doesn’t sit well with the ‘seeker sensitive’ crowd. It’s not just about praying a quick prayer, claiming your fire insurance and then off to the buffet to beat the ‘frozen chosen.’ It’s about making Jesus Savior and Lord, not just Savior. Many have made him Savior, but few have truly made him Lord.
Jesus should be Lord over every aspect of our lives and He desires the full territory of our soul. Don’t get me wrong, your salvation is assured if you’ve believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a one-time decision. But honoring Christ’s Lordship means choosing to serve Him fully because we love Him dearly. Our motive for obedience is rooted in love for Him. We are to have no idols before Him. He will test our allegiance to Him in this regard. We are meant to be living sacrifices. Trouble is a living sacrifice has a tendency to crawl off the altar! To forsake, means, “to renounce or turn away from entirely.” My question to you is this, ‘have you forsaken all for Christ?’ ‘Have you renounced your former life and buried it once and for all?’ The bible has much to say about this.
Be prepared to lose your life
Jesus said, “For whoever would save his life will lose it. But whoever would lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Mk 8:35–36). Notice a man may gain the world at the expense of his soul. In contrast, believers seek to lose their life for the sake of Christ, for the purpose of accomplishing what He desires through them. Is it possible to ‘lose’ one’s soul, in exchange for gaining power, prestige or wealth in this world? The Bible says it is possible.
Once a soul is fully exchanged, it’s lost forever. Many movie stars and musicians performing on the world stage have exchanged their soul for riches and adoration. Yet their success is brief and fleeting, soon to be long forgotten in the scope of eternity. They’ve chosen to glorify themselves, losing their souls in the process. The Bible commends us to ‘possess our soul with patience’ (Lk 21:19), not cast it off in exchange for worldly gain.
Abraham forsook all and was greatly blessed for it
Abraham is a prime of example of one who ‘forsook all.’ When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac he was potentially in danger of forfeiting the nation of Israel which God promised to establish through his progeny. ‘A great nation’ was something God already promised Abraham, but if he sacrificed Isaac, how would this come about? Of course, once God saw that Abraham was willing to do His will, even to his own detriment, Abraham passed the test.
God immediately provided an alternative sacrifice (ram) in the thicket (Gen 22:13). But God did not provide the alternative until he saw Abraham was willing to do what He asked. The point is, God tests us, to see if we’re willing to ‘lay it all on the line’ for Him. Because of His goodness, He offers us so much more in return. Some of us will never see the full measure of God’s goodness if we’re not willing to do what He asks us. We must be obedient to God, otherwise we might be in danger of forfeiting the destiny God has prepared for us.
Abraham and Isaac load the donkey in preparation for their ascent of Mt. Moriah
There is no ‘Plan B’
When Elijah sought a successor, he found Elisha in the field, minding his own business, working his 9 to 5 job. Let’s read, 1 Kings 19:19–21:
“So, he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yokes of oxen before him and he with the twelfth, and Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak on him. He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back, for what have I done to you?” So, he returned from following him and took a yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes from the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he got up and went after Elijah and ministered to him.” (MEV)
When the Prophet of God threw his cloak on someone, he was symbolically offering the mantle of his prophetic office. Elijah was desirous for Elisha to be his successor. This was a great honor and I’m sure Elisha was thrilled at the opportunity. Yet Elisha hesitated momentarily, as I’m sure most of us would as his thoughts turned toward his family. Elisha’s priorities frustrated Elijah, as he proclaimed, ‘go back, I won’t stop you.’ Despite hesitation, Elisha made the right decision that day. One that would change the course of his destiny. Elisha immediately quit his 9 to 5 job, once he received the call to ministry. Plan B was no longer an option and he pursued Plan A for the rest of his days.
Elijah places his cloak on Elisha as a symbolic act of succession
There’s a price to pay when it comes to serving God, something which Christ reiterated. Elisha had forsaken all and was willing to do God’s will. The fact that Elisha was working twelve yokes of oxen—twenty-four expensive animals—indicates that his family was probably better off financially than most Israelite’s and he must’ve had a considerable estate. It was no small thing for Elisha to leave his family and wealth behind.
Question is, would you be willing to do the same if God called you to the ministry or any other vocation for that matter? Have you made the decision to follow Christ regardless of the consequences? Or do you still have plan B in your back pocket, just in case things don’t work out? When the road gets bumpy, you need to know the only path forward is with Christ, there is no turning back.
To serve Christ to the fullest, we must forsake all. Because we’ve given our life to Him, we must take our hands off the steering wheel and give Him the driver seat. We must decrease and He must increase (Jn 3:30). This kind of statement doesn’t sit well with the ‘seeker sensitive’ crowd. It’s not just about praying a quick prayer, claiming your fire insurance and then off to the buffet to beat the ‘frozen chosen.’ It’s about making Jesus Savior and Lord, not just Savior. Many have made him Savior, but few have truly made him Lord.
Jesus should be Lord over every aspect of our lives and He desires the full territory of our soul. Don’t get me wrong, your salvation is assured if you’ve believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a one-time decision. But honoring Christ’s Lordship means choosing to serve Him fully because we love Him dearly. Our motive for obedience is rooted in love for Him. We are to have no idols before Him. He will test our allegiance to Him in this regard. We are meant to be living sacrifices. Trouble is a living sacrifice has a tendency to crawl off the altar! To forsake, means, “to renounce or turn away from entirely.” My question to you is this, ‘have you forsaken all for Christ?’ ‘Have you renounced your former life and buried it once and for all?’ The bible has much to say about this.
Be prepared to lose your life
Jesus said, “For whoever would save his life will lose it. But whoever would lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Mk 8:35–36). Notice a man may gain the world at the expense of his soul. In contrast, believers seek to lose their life for the sake of Christ, for the purpose of accomplishing what He desires through them. Is it possible to ‘lose’ one’s soul, in exchange for gaining power, prestige or wealth in this world? The Bible says it is possible.Once a soul is fully exchanged, it’s lost forever. Many movie stars and musicians performing on the world stage have exchanged their soul for riches and adoration. Yet their success is brief and fleeting, soon to be long forgotten in the scope of eternity. They’ve chosen to glorify themselves, losing their souls in the process. The Bible commends us to ‘possess our soul with patience’ (Lk 21:19), not cast it off in exchange for worldly gain.
Abraham forsook all and was greatly blessed for it
Abraham is a prime of example of one who ‘forsook all.’ When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac he was potentially in danger of forfeiting the nation of Israel which God promised to establish through his progeny. ‘A great nation’ was something God already promised Abraham, but if he sacrificed Isaac, how would this come about? Of course, once God saw that Abraham was willing to do His will, even to his own detriment, Abraham passed the test.
God immediately provided an alternative sacrifice (ram) in the thicket (Gen 22:13). But God did not provide the alternative until he saw Abraham was willing to do what He asked. The point is, God tests us, to see if we’re willing to ‘lay it all on the line’ for Him. Because of His goodness, He offers us so much more in return. Some of us will never see the full measure of God’s goodness if we’re not willing to do what He asks us. We must be obedient to God, otherwise we might be in danger of forfeiting the destiny God has prepared for us.Abraham and Isaac load the donkey in preparation for their ascent of Mt. Moriah
There is no ‘Plan B’
When Elijah sought a successor, he found Elisha in the field, minding his own business, working his 9 to 5 job. Let’s read, 1 Kings 19:19–21:
“So, he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yokes of oxen before him and he with the twelfth, and Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak on him. He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back, for what have I done to you?” So, he returned from following him and took a yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes from the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he got up and went after Elijah and ministered to him.” (MEV)
When the Prophet of God threw his cloak on someone, he was symbolically offering the mantle of his prophetic office. Elijah was desirous for Elisha to be his successor. This was a great honor and I’m sure Elisha was thrilled at the opportunity. Yet Elisha hesitated momentarily, as I’m sure most of us would as his thoughts turned toward his family. Elisha’s priorities frustrated Elijah, as he proclaimed, ‘go back, I won’t stop you.’ Despite hesitation, Elisha made the right decision that day. One that would change the course of his destiny. Elisha immediately quit his 9 to 5 job, once he received the call to ministry. Plan B was no longer an option and he pursued Plan A for the rest of his days.Elijah places his cloak on Elisha as a symbolic act of succession
There’s a price to pay when it comes to serving God, something which Christ reiterated. Elisha had forsaken all and was willing to do God’s will. The fact that Elisha was working twelve yokes of oxen—twenty-four expensive animals—indicates that his family was probably better off financially than most Israelite’s and he must’ve had a considerable estate. It was no small thing for Elisha to leave his family and wealth behind.
Question is, would you be willing to do the same if God called you to the ministry or any other vocation for that matter? Have you made the decision to follow Christ regardless of the consequences? Or do you still have plan B in your back pocket, just in case things don’t work out? When the road gets bumpy, you need to know the only path forward is with Christ, there is no turning back.To serve Christ to the fullest, we must forsake all. Because we’ve given our life to Him, we must take our hands off the steering wheel and give Him the driver seat. We must decrease and He must increase (Jn 3:30). This kind of statement doesn’t sit well with the ‘seeker sensitive’ crowd. It’s not just about praying a quick prayer, claiming your fire insurance and then off to the buffet to beat the ‘frozen chosen.’ It’s about making Jesus Savior and Lord, not just Savior. Many have made him Savior, but few have truly made him Lord.
Jesus should be Lord over every aspect of our lives and He desires the full territory of our soul. Don’t get me wrong, your salvation is assured if you’ve believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a one-time decision. But honoring Christ’s Lordship means choosing to serve Him fully because we love Him dearly. Our motive for obedience is rooted in love for Him. We are to have no idols before Him. He will test our allegiance to Him in this regard. We are meant to be living sacrifices. Trouble is a living sacrifice has a tendency to crawl off the altar! To forsake, means, “to renounce or turn away from entirely.” My question to you is this, ‘have you forsaken all for Christ?’ ‘Have you renounced your former life and buried it once and for all?’ The bible has much to say about this.
Be prepared to lose your life
Jesus said, “For whoever would save his life will lose it. But whoever would lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Mk 8:35–36). Notice a man may gain the world at the expense of his soul. In contrast, believers seek to lose their life for the sake of Christ, for the purpose of accomplishing what He desires through them. Is it possible to ‘lose’ one’s soul, in exchange for gaining power, prestige or wealth in this world? The Bible says it is possible.Once a soul is fully exchanged, it’s lost forever. Many movie stars and musicians performing on the world stage have exchanged their soul for riches and adoration. Yet their success is brief and fleeting, soon to be long forgotten in the scope of eternity. They’ve chosen to glorify themselves, losing their souls in the process. The Bible commends us to ‘possess our soul with patience’ (Lk 21:19), not cast it off in exchange for worldly gain.
Abraham forsook all and was greatly blessed for it
Abraham is a prime of example of one who ‘forsook all.’ When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac he was potentially in danger of forfeiting the nation of Israel which God promised to establish through his progeny. ‘A great nation’ was something God already promised Abraham, but if he sacrificed Isaac, how would this come about? Of course, once God saw that Abraham was willing to do His will, even to his own detriment, Abraham passed the test.
God immediately provided an alternative sacrifice (ram) in the thicket (Gen 22:13). But God did not provide the alternative until he saw Abraham was willing to do what He asked. The point is, God tests us, to see if we’re willing to ‘lay it all on the line’ for Him. Because of His goodness, He offers us so much more in return. Some of us will never see the full measure of God’s goodness if we’re not willing to do what He asks us. We must be obedient to God, otherwise we might be in danger of forfeiting the destiny God has prepared for us.Abraham and Isaac load the donkey in preparation for their ascent of Mt. Moriah
There is no ‘Plan B’
When Elijah sought a successor, he found Elisha in the field, minding his own business, working his 9 to 5 job. Let’s read, 1 Kings 19:19–21:
“So, he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yokes of oxen before him and he with the twelfth, and Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak on him. He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back, for what have I done to you?” So, he returned from following him and took a yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes from the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he got up and went after Elijah and ministered to him.” (MEV)
When the Prophet of God threw his cloak on someone, he was symbolically offering the mantle of his prophetic office. Elijah was desirous for Elisha to be his successor. This was a great honor and I’m sure Elisha was thrilled at the opportunity. Yet Elisha hesitated momentarily, as I’m sure most of us would as his thoughts turned toward his family. Elisha’s priorities frustrated Elijah, as he proclaimed, ‘go back, I won’t stop you.’ Despite hesitation, Elisha made the right decision that day. One that would change the course of his destiny. Elisha immediately quit his 9 to 5 job, once he received the call to ministry. Plan B was no longer an option and he pursued Plan A for the rest of his days.Elijah places his cloak on Elisha as a symbolic act of succession
There’s a price to pay when it comes to serving God, something which Christ reiterated. Elisha had forsaken all and was willing to do God’s will. The fact that Elisha was working twelve yokes of oxen—twenty-four expensive animals—indicates that his family was probably better off financially than most Israelite’s and he must’ve had a considerable estate. It was no small thing for Elisha to leave his family and wealth behind.
Question is, would you be willing to do the same if God called you to the ministry or any other vocation for that matter? Have you made the decision to follow Christ regardless of the consequences? Or do you still have plan B in your back pocket, just in case things don’t work out? When the road gets bumpy, you need to know the only path forward is with Christ, there is no turning back.To serve Christ to the fullest, we must forsake all. Because we’ve given our life to Him, we must take our hands off the steering wheel and give Him the driver seat. We must decrease and He must increase (Jn 3:30). This kind of statement doesn’t sit well with the ‘seeker sensitive’ crowd. It’s not just about praying a quick prayer, claiming your fire insurance and then off to the buffet to beat the ‘frozen chosen.’ It’s about making Jesus Savior and Lord, not just Savior. Many have made him Savior, but few have truly made him Lord.
Jesus should be Lord over every aspect of our lives and He desires the full territory of our soul. Don’t get me wrong, your salvation is assured if you’ve believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a one-time decision. But honoring Christ’s Lordship means choosing to serve Him fully because we love Him dearly. Our motive for obedience is rooted in love for Him. We are to have no idols before Him. He will test our allegiance to Him in this regard. We are meant to be living sacrifices. Trouble is a living sacrifice has a tendency to crawl off the altar! To forsake, means, “to renounce or turn away from entirely.” My question to you is this, ‘have you forsaken all for Christ?’ ‘Have you renounced your former life and buried it once and for all?’ The bible has much to say about this.
Be prepared to lose your life
Jesus said, “For whoever would save his life will lose it. But whoever would lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Mk 8:35–36). Notice a man may gain the world at the expense of his soul. In contrast, believers seek to lose their life for the sake of Christ, for the purpose of accomplishing what He desires through them. Is it possible to ‘lose’ one’s soul, in exchange for gaining power, prestige or wealth in this world? The Bible says it is possible.Once a soul is fully exchanged, it’s lost forever. Many movie stars and musicians performing on the world stage have exchanged their soul for riches and adoration. Yet their success is brief and fleeting, soon to be long forgotten in the scope of eternity. They’ve chosen to glorify themselves, losing their souls in the process. The Bible commends us to ‘possess our soul with patience’ (Lk 21:19), not cast it off in exchange for worldly gain.
Abraham forsook all and was greatly blessed for it
Abraham is a prime of example of one who ‘forsook all.’ When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac he was potentially in danger of forfeiting the nation of Israel which God promised to establish through his progeny. ‘A great nation’ was something God already promised Abraham, but if he sacrificed Isaac, how would this come about? Of course, once God saw that Abraham was willing to do His will, even to his own detriment, Abraham passed the test.
God immediately provided an alternative sacrifice (ram) in the thicket (Gen 22:13). But God did not provide the alternative until he saw Abraham was willing to do what He asked. The point is, God tests us, to see if we’re willing to ‘lay it all on the line’ for Him. Because of His goodness, He offers us so much more in return. Some of us will never see the full measure of God’s goodness if we’re not willing to do what He asks us. We must be obedient to God, otherwise we might be in danger of forfeiting the destiny God has prepared for us.Abraham and Isaac load the donkey in preparation for their ascent of Mt. Moriah
There is no ‘Plan B’
When Elijah sought a successor, he found Elisha in the field, minding his own business, working his 9 to 5 job. Let’s read, 1 Kings 19:19–21:
“So, he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yokes of oxen before him and he with the twelfth, and Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak on him. He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back, for what have I done to you?” So, he returned from following him and took a yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes from the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he got up and went after Elijah and ministered to him.” (MEV)
When the Prophet of God threw his cloak on someone, he was symbolically offering the mantle of his prophetic office. Elijah was desirous for Elisha to be his successor. This was a great honor and I’m sure Elisha was thrilled at the opportunity. Yet Elisha hesitated momentarily, as I’m sure most of us would as his thoughts turned toward his family. Elisha’s priorities frustrated Elijah, as he proclaimed, ‘go back, I won’t stop you.’ Despite hesitation, Elisha made the right decision that day. One that would change the course of his destiny. Elisha immediately quit his 9 to 5 job, once he received the call to ministry. Plan B was no longer an option and he pursued Plan A for the rest of his days.Elijah places his cloak on Elisha as a symbolic act of succession
There’s a price to pay when it comes to serving God, something which Christ reiterated. Elisha had forsaken all and was willing to do God’s will. The fact that Elisha was working twelve yokes of oxen—twenty-four expensive animals—indicates that his family was probably better off financially than most Israelite’s and he must’ve had a considerable estate. It was no small thing for Elisha to leave his family and wealth behind.
Question is, would you be willing to do the same if God called you to the ministry or any other vocation for that matter? Have you made the decision to follow Christ regardless of the consequences? Or do you still have plan B in your back pocket, just in case things don’t work out? When the road gets bumpy, you need to know the only path forward is with Christ, there is no turning back.
