What Must I Give Up?

What did Paul give up?

Paul gave up his life as Saul, when he persecuted Christians and made havoc of the Lord’s church (Acts 7-9; Galatians 1:13-14).

What did the rich young ruler give up?

He was asked to sell everything to the poor, but went away sorrowful for he had great possessions. Sadly, he was not willing to give up anything (Matthew 19:16-22).

What did Jesus’ disciples give up?

As many were fishing when Jesus called them, they immediately left their nets to follow Him in order to be “fishers of men” (Mark 1:16-20).

What did Peter give up?

Peter had to give up many Jewish customs in order to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 10:9-16, 28-29).

Should we give up our family?

We cannot love our family more than Jesus; otherwise we are not worthy of Him (Matthew 10:37-39). If they want us to do things contrary to the will of God, we “must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).”

What did some churches give up?

The Corinthians gave up all unrighteousness (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). The Galatians gave up idolatry and many Jewish customs (Galatians 4). The Ephesians gave up the flesh and a time without Christ (Ephesians 2). The Colossians gave up the time when they were alienated from God and their wicked works (Colossians 1).

Should we give up ourselves?

Jesus said one must “deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24-25).  Paul became dead to himself but alive unto Christ (Galatians 2:20). When one becomes a Christian, the old man is crucified and the body of sin is destroyed (Romans 6:6). No longer one serves the flesh, but the Spirit. The new man is put on and thus all things have become new (Colossians 2:11; 3:9-10).  We must give up ourselves and alive to Christ!