Do we have to lose everything to follow Jesus ?

Thursday July 15, 2021

But to all who accepted him, to those who believe in his name, he (Jesus) gave the right to become children of God. John 1.12

He gives him strength, he leads me in the paths of righteousness, because of his name. Psalm 23. 3

Do we have to lose everything to follow Jesus ?

For several months, Norbert and Annie have taken an interest in the gospel. They attend Christian meetings and read the Bible. As time goes by, they understand that the hour of choice is approaching. It was Norbert who was the first to accept the gospel. But Annie hesitates, she fears the consequences. She asks herself : "Do I have to lose all my friends ?" Then she steps back. Later, Annie heard the Lord's call again, and she finally became a Christian.

This fear of losing a friendship, maybe a job, a favorite hobby, is a real obstacle to coming to Jesus. Will he "devastate" everything in my life ? What a bad calculation it would be to sound like that ! The Lord does not want to impoverish us. He wants to enrich us with himself. For this, he asks us first of all to receive him as our Savior and our Master. Then he leads us with wisdom and patience on the path of faith.

The Lord then shows us what we must give up for him. And it gives us the strength to do it. Often, he directs the circumstances of our life to help us. If there is any suffering to be experienced it will be followed by deep peace.

To a foreigner who believed in God, but who worried about the attitude to have when he returned to his country, the prophet Elisha replied with this wonderful word : "Go in peace" (2 Kings 5:19). Let us also know how to go with the peace of the Lord. It is a good Master a Master who gave his life for us.

Source (The Good Seed)