"Peter began to say to Him, 'See, we have left all and followed You.'" —Mark 10:28
“Our Lord replies to this statement of Peter by saying that this surrender is “for My sake and the gospel’s” (Mark 10:29). It was not for the purpose of what the disciples themselves would get out of it. Beware of surrender that is motivated by personal benefits that may result. Our motive for surrender should not be for any personal gain at all. We have become so self-centered that we go to God only for something from Him, and not for God Himself. It is like saying, 'No, Lord, I don’t want you; I want myself.'” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest
Have you really considered what following Jesus means in terms of your natural life and its affections? I am certain you are familiar with the “Health and Wealth Gospel” The idea that if you are spiritually right then God will give you worldly prosperity. Friend, that is not Biblical. Explain to the millions of poor Christians that their problem is that they are not spiritually right with God. The prosperity gospel is a result of the affluent culture we live in.
“You cannot love God and money. You will love one and hate the other.” - Matthew 6:24
The prosperity gospel subtly implies “That is not true”. It says if you give God a dime, you will get a dollar. The danger is that we interpret the scripture in the context of the lust of our eyes, the lust of your flesh and the pride of life.
“For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-comes not from the Father but from the world.” - 1 John 2:16
Are you willing to let God decide the context of your living? Does that include a big house, nice car, plenty of money, secure retirement. Are you more concerned about protecting your standard of living or the standards by which you live? The first has to do with faith in the things of the world and the second with faith in God.
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” - 1 John 2:15
Reject the temptation to use God as a means to worldly comfort and peace. Instead be filled with the Spirit so that you can experience “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” in spite of the turmoil of the world that swirls around you.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” - Proverbs 3:5-6
Do you believe it? You only truly believe the part of the Bible that you obey. "Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey"
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