Withholding Nothing

September 07, 2023

"Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Mark 10:21

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us, when He went to the cross at Calvary. It was there that Jesus took on all the sin of the world and placed it squarely on His shoulders. He suffered the ridicule and beatings of folk who really didn't know who He was and the power He possessed. Jesus still took the time to have compassion on people who were mistreating Him. Jesus told the people no man can take His life, but He was laying His life down, because He understood the power sin had on the people of God, and without the great sacrifice there would be no redemption for their sin. The penalty of sin then was death, the penalty now for sin is death, but because Jesus paid the price for our sin, we don't suffer the penalty of death everyday like we should. Since Jesus paid the price for our sin it does not give us license to sin willingly and constantly, but the sacrifice should have us to recognize what was done for us and try to turn our lives around. I encourage you today to remember the great sacrifice made for you on the cross by Jesus. When you think of this sacrifice think of all the sin you have committed and how because Jesus was on the cross you have been forgiven of those sin and do not have to suffer the penalty for them. Since Jesus made such a great sacrifice for you, what sacrifice will you make for Him? Jesus told this young man to sell everything and give it away and come and follow Him, the young man was rich and could not depart with his material possessions to follow Christ. What are you holding on to that is keeping you from truly following Christ? Will you give up everything just for the opportunity to get to know Him better? Jesus has made the ultimate sacrifice for you, and you should do the same for Him. I thank God for what He has done for me, and I will sacrifice time, talent, money, gifts, sleep, and whatever else to gain a closer relationship with Him. Since I am grateful for the sacrifice that Christ made for me, and I am willing to give my all to follow Him, I have no doubt, "It's My Year To Get My Thing From My God!"

Prayer:

Lord thank you for paying the price for my sin. Thank you for loving me so much that you went to the cross for me. I will follow you all the days of my life, no turning back. I love you Lord. In Jesus Name Amen.

Be Inspired, Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue, Pastor
Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church
Mount Vernon, NY