No Competition

Scripture

One day a wealthy Jewish nobleman of high standing posed this question to Jesus: "Wonderful Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life? "Ah," Jesus said, "There's still one thing you're missing in your life." What is that? asked the man. "You must go and sell everything you own and give all the proceeds to the poor so you will have eternal treasures. Then come and follow me." These words devastated the rich leader, for he was extremely wealthy. Jesus said, "It is next to impossible for those who have everything to enter into God's kingdom." -Luke 18:18;22-24

When Jesus told His disciples, "Follow me", they each gave up their professions and life's work to follow after Him. In His teachings, He's made it very clear that in order to truly be His disciple, one must be willing to let go of their old life for their new life with Him. The young ruler in the scripture was willing to follow Jesus as long as He didn't have to give up His possessions. This principle applies to believers today. We must be willing to lose our lives to gain life. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 16:24, "If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. 

Beloved, could there be things in our lives that we've not fully given up to follow Jesus? For the rich ruler, it was his wealth, but for others it may be something else. Perhaps it's unforgiveness for some and pride for others. Maybe some believers find it hard to let go of unfruitful relationships, or the independent, self-reliant mindset.  So often many are deceived into thinking that they could give just a little bit of themselves to Jesus and He'll be satisfied with their meager offering. It's a fallacy to think that because we attend weekly services and read a verse a day that it will be sufficient for the Lord Jesus. He's made it very clear that we must be willing to give it all up to follow Him. 

Jesus was not teaching that salvation can be earned by giving away possession. He was demonstrating to the young man he couldn't truly be a disciple until there was no competition in his heart to follow Jesus. Beloved, nothing in our hearts should compete with following Him. We should willingly let go of anything that hinder us from truly being His disciples. Many are willing to do what it takes to make their natural relationships work. Could we not do the same for our relationship with Jesus? Let us ask the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts today, and let go of anything that competes with following Christ. 

Prayer,

Father, we repent for allowing things, people, and habits to compete with following Jesus. We let go of anything that hinder us from following Your Son with all of our hearts. In Jesus' name. Amen