Friday, May 5, 2023
A Holy Obsession
“So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” (Luke 14:33 NLT)
When one of my granddaughters was little, she loved to collect stuffed animals. Whenever I traveled, she asked me to bring one home for her. But one day when we were talking on the phone, she said, “Papa, I’m not obsessed with stuffed animals anymore. I’m just obsessed with talking to you.”
That warmed my heart. And I thought about how, as believers, we should feel that way about our relationship with God. We should all be able to say, “Lord, I’m obsessed with talking to You, walking with You, hearing from You, and knowing You.”
In Luke 14, Jesus made this statement: “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own” (verse 33 NLT). The New King James Version translates it this way: “Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
Does that mean it’s a sin to have a car or a house or money in the bank? Of course not. From the original language, we could also translate this verse “So you cannot become My disciple without surrendering your claim to everything you own.”
It’s a recognition that God is the owner. God is in control of it. We recognize that we’re simply stewards of what we have for a period of time.
To be His disciples, we must turn over the title deeds of our lives to Christ. We are not actually owners; we are stewards. Everything we have will be passed on to someone else one day.
It is not wrong to have a career, but it is wrong if a career has you. It is not wrong to have possessions, but it is wrong if your possessions have you. Things have their place, but not the most important place.
As Christians, our only real passion and obsession in life should be Jesus Christ.
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Some Christians think Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, and sharing their faith are things they eventually move beyond. The truth is just the opposite. In What Every Growing Christian Needs to Know, Pastor Greg Laurie explores the foundational practices that help believers grow spiritually and stay strong in their faith. Whether you're a new believer or have followed Christ for decades, this practical guide will help you focus on the things that matter most. Request your copy this month with your gift to Harvest Ministries.
