03/12/2025
This morning I am considering the abandonment of things and people associated with our old life when we are reborn and accept Jesus as our savior. Is it a requirement of salvation, and if not, why do we abandon these things at all? Let's look at those old life things we give up along the way of faith and why we are asked to do so.
“Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
Mark 10:28-30 KJV
The apostles left their homes and families to follow Jesus; in this regard their sacrifice was similar to the one that Jesus asked the wealthy man to make, but in the young ruler’s case he was told to sell all he had... not just leave it behind. So, since this abandonment seems to go hand in hand with eternity, and our rebirth in Jesus Christ is it a necessary part of changing our lives from what once was into what we are meant to be? Is it an absolute requirement, and are we prepared to do so? What is its purpose anyway? Well, we know that abandoning family and possessions isn't a requirement for salvation… that is a gift from God through grace, and only believing accomplishes that, so what is leaving family and things all about? It is about a deeper belief in Jesus and becoming obedient, righteous, and holy as He is.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:9-10 KJV
So what is the real reason that the apostles were asked to leave behind those people and things they valued? It was to gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of Jesus, to keep them free of sin, and to help them become perfect, holy, and Christ-like. Let's look at scripture for proof of this answer, and specifically at the words of Paul...
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”
Philippians 3:7-8 KJV
So, the disciples left their homes behind to gain "the knowledge of Christ." If we consider this in greater detail then we will realize that salvation is given to us by grace, and not by anything we might abandon, sell or do ourselves... that would make us partners in our own salvation… which we are told that we are not, because salvation is a gift from God alone.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
Thus, if our salvation is a gift from God then why the promise of hundredfold gain to those who abandon something to follow Him? Jesus traveled, he moved all about the holy land teaching and preaching and He had a limited amount of time in which He was meant to spread His message. In order to know Him and learn from Him to the utmost, it would thus be necessary to leave one’s old life and follow Him. This is what He asked his disciples to do, and if we are to know Him in this way we too must be prepared to leave behind home, family, and all worldly distractions... not so that we will receive salvation, but to know Him better, and if we do that then we too will be rewarded.
Jesus knew that when He gave up His life that He needed to leave behind men (apostles and disciples) who could continue what He had started. Peter would be the rock of His church, John would look after His mother Mary and receive what we now read in the book of Revelation... so, are you catching my drift. Without these men then Christianity would have most likely remained regional or have died away completely. God had bigger plans for His Son than that; His goal was to give us grace through Christ, and to save the world.
Is it still necessary to abandon things today? I believe that the answer is “Yes”, but we don't do it to gain salvation, no, we do it for the same reason the apostles left their families, to gain "the knowledge of Christ." Missionaries leave home and sometimes family, pastors travel from church to church, rich men give up their possessions, and sinners leave their sins (and those they have experienced sin with) behind. These, and many other necessary sacrifices and abandonments, remain today in the lives of Christians. What we must always remember though is that although we will increase our faith and knowledge of Christ, this doesn't make us partners in our salvation... that is by God’s grace, and His grace alone. And grace isn’t something we contribute to, no, it is truly a gift of God alone.
When we leave something behind it is indeed a hardship, but it comes with reward... sometimes on earth, sometimes in heaven, and often in both places as implied in our previous reading of Mark 10:30. However, what it doesn't do is make us greater than those around us by virtue of our sacrifices... whoops... there is that word again!!! Sacrifice! When we abandon our old life and are reborn there is a degree of sacrifice that comes along with it as we seek a deeper knowledge of Jesus. We aren’t meant to do this for personal gain, but out of a deep desire and love of Christ. That is our pearl of wisdom today. We shouldn’t sacrifice for personal gain, but for a deeper knowledge of Jesus, and God.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the grace and the salvation you have given me in my belief that Jesus is your Son who lived, suffered, died, and was resurrected for the world, and me. It is by your grace, and your grace alone, that I am saved in Him. Lord, when I abandon things in my life in order to follow Jesus, and to know Him better, I do so out of my love for you and not for some gain I believe I will earn by my efforts and actions. Knowing you, and loving you, is all the gain I require. In you I find myself complete and come to realize the righteousness of the reborn man you show me to be. Hold me close Father and call me to come when you wish to teach me or ask me to do your will. There is nothing of this world that I find as precious as being in your presence, and in the midst of your love. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who has showered me with love and grace. Holy are you who has forgiven and saved me through your Son Jesus Christ, and my belief in who He is, and what He has done for the world. Praised be your name Father, and great are you whose grace abounds, forgiveness flows sweet, and whose love for the world is never ending. Help us to serve you and obey you without fail, and for your glory alone. Hear our prayers, and in them our desire that your will be done… not ours. In this way we pray that we are judged worthy by you, and in Christ, to spend eternity in your presence… and to this we all the world is meant to say Amen, and Amen!
Amen! Amen!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3:16-17 ESV
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
“10 For you are great and do wondrous things;
you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.”
Psalm 86:10-13 ESV
Rich Forbes