The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 25 January 2024 – Give Up Things For Christ
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TOPIC: Give Up Things For Christ
READ: Matthew 19: 27-30 (NKJV)
- Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”
- So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
- “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
- “But many [who are] first will be last, and the last first.
THE MESSAGE:
Paul had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 9:1-19) which changed and redirected his life and service towards Christ forever. It didn’t take him long to willingly forfeit and give up his wonderful and rich heritage and background in order to gain Christ (Philippians 3:4-6). He found that those privileges were gains only to the outside world, but not to the Christian. None could help him gain salvation or make him a better follower of Christ. To him, they were liabilities and losses compared with the excellence of knowing and gaining Christ! In today’s passage, Peter asked Jesus what they would gain, having left their all to follow Him. Jesus’ answer assured him of tremendous benefits including the crown of life eternal.
What are those things that are so dear to you but which are hindering you from gaining Christ? Do not hold onto them too tightly – God may ask you to let them go and you need to obey. How tragic for the rich young ruler to value his possession and pride more than eternal life and the blessing and rewards that God gives. Note that whatever you give up for the sake of gaining Christ, shall be replaced by blessings and gifts a hundred times better. Unless you give up those earthly things, you will never possess eternal life. It pays to serve Jesus!
PRAYER: Father, help me to truly give up everything that is a hindrance to my gaining Christ.
