Desertion
St Mark 10:28
Our Lord essentially responds that abandonment is for His sake, rather than for the benefits the disciples may receive from it. Exercise caution with the abandoning that is motivated by commercial intent: “I shall dedicate myself to God to attain liberation from sin and to achieve sanctity.” All of it stems from being in alignment with God; nonetheless, that spirit does not constitute the fundamental essence of Christianity. Abandonment serves no purpose whatsoever. We have become so commercialized that we seek God solely for His offerings, rather than for His essence. It is like to asserting, “No, Lord, I reject Thee; I desire myself instead; however, I wish for myself to be purified and imbued with the Holy Ghost, to be displayed in Thy showroom and proclaim, ‘This is what God has accomplished for me.’”
If we relinquish anything to God just in anticipation of receiving more in return, our surrender lacks the essence of the Holy Spirit; it is merely a wretched form of commercial self-interest. The attainment of heaven, liberation from sin, and being instrumental for God are not factors in genuine abandonment, which is a personal and sovereign desire for Jesus Christ Himself.
When we encounter the obstacles of natural relationships, where is Jesus Christ? Many of us abandon Him, stating, “Indeed, Lord, I acknowledged Your summons; however, my mother obstructs my path, my wife, my self-interest, and I cannot proceed any further.” “Then, Jesus states, ‘You cannot be My disciple.’” The test of abandoning consistently supersedes the essence of innate commitment. Reflect upon it, and the divine forsakenness will envelop all those you were compelled to injure in your abandonment. Exercise caution about halting before complete surrender to God. Many of us are familiar with desertion in a visual context.
Sacrifice for Discipleship: Peter underscores that he and the other disciples have relinquished all to pursue Jesus. This underscores the notion of sacrifice in the Christian journey—abandoning earthly attachments to seek the Kingdom of God.
The Invitation to Follow Jesus: Peter's declaration signifies the sacrifice inherent in discipleship. This decision is not trivial; it entails personal sacrifice and dedication to Jesus and His purpose.
Confidence in Divine Rewards: Although Peter references the sacrifices undertaken, there exists an implicit expectation for the assurance that Jesus would recompense those who have forsaken all for Him. This underscores the significance of having faith in God's promises, especially under difficulties.
Total Commitment: The expression "we have left everything" emphasizes the profound character of discipleship to Christ. Discipleship necessitates total dedication, with Jesus prioritized above all other obligations.
Living with Purpose: Peter's assertion indicates that the disciples' choice to follow Jesus imparts a renewed direction and significance to their lives. This transcends individual benefit and pertains to contributing to a larger divine scheme.
#Ministry #jesus #bible #worship #faith #hope #love #church #prayer #gospel #christian #family #motivation #inspiration #holyspirit #power #christ #jesuschrist #purpose #godisgood #inspire #instagood #outreach #evangelism #bibleverse #encouragement #dailyinspiration