What It Means To Be All In

"Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." - Matthew 16:24

What is the most important question you can ask when you are confronted with an opportunity to serve. "tic .. tic ... tic" Ok times up.  The question you must ask is "Is that you Lord?" and when you know it is God, and in your heart you will, you must be ready to make some adjustments in your life. Like Samuel.

"And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, Speak, for your servant hears." - 1 Samuel 3:10

But what if it's something that you really don't want to hear? I am not talking about quitting your job, selling your worldly belongings and going to a foreign land. It might be much simpler than that. And unlike Samuel, it most probably won't be an audible voice from Heaven. It may well be another Christian. Or a circumstance you find yourself in. Maybe a scripture you hear or read. Perhaps an impression from the Spirit as you pray.  Whatever it is - it will require some adjustments in your plans - some sacrifice on your part. You will be taking up your cross of personal sacrifice. Scripture I often quote is Romans 12:1-2

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:1-2

There it is again - sacrifice - a sacrifice is not giving up something you don't care about.  It is about laying down something you care a great deal about. Most likely it will affect how you allocate your time. But you do it as an offering to God. Demonstrating that your love for God is greater than your love for the things of this world. 

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9

We are called to be "All In" as we live out our faith - our new life in Christ. What I see is that people struggle with saying "yes" to God if it is not convenient - if it doesn't fit their plans. Oh that reminds me of a song - Almost Persuaded". One of the verses goes --

"Seems now some soul to say, “Go, Spirit, go Thy way, Some more convenient day On Thee I’ll call."

That day seldom comes. The test for whether many Christians will respond in the affirmative is if it fits their schedule and even then, something more interesting might come up. Jesus said, "Let your yes be yes and your no be no" but for some if not many Christians "Yes" means "Maybe".

Are you all in? All in at any cost? 

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." - Matthew 22:36-37

That doesn't leave room for much else.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone