All or Part of You?

All or Part of You?

by David Brenneman 

"You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?  But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:4-8.

"And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6.

"You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

It's rather interesting all the all's in just these passages. The all in the first section is heavily implied.

Enjoying life is one thing, but to do so with no regard to our relationship with Jesus isn't right. 

Jesus isn't just a confidant that we call upon once in a while when life is troubling to us.  

Jesus does not want conjugal visits when we feel like it.

Jesus does not want part time visitations either. 

You don't see any of that with the teaching of the Disciples in the four Gospels.  

They were being taught HOW to carry their own cross.  They were told after the resurrection to teach these things to others that they learned from Jesus.  "Go therefore and make disciples...teaching them all that I commanded you...".

Honestly? Missing out on what this world offers isn't the end of the world. 

Many hem and haw over what they feel they must give up in order to follow Jesus with their whole heart.  Oh what they'll have to give up! Oh what they will have to get rid of! Oh how they will need to behave like!

Really?  We came to Christ Jesus for salvation, the free gift that is offered in His Name.  Jesus took upon Himself the punishment of us all upon Himself on that cross on that day over 2,000 years ago.

And we whine about our sacrifices in living life for Him?  We are not as careful as we should be about living a life in Christ as we ought to be. 

We try to sneak in aspects of the world into our lives, thinking it won't be a problem, won't be a hindrance. 

We do this and do not realize we've given the devil a foothold. 

I have unfortunately given the devil a foothold in my life and it's an often daily struggle. 

My Dear Reader, take this life in Christ seriously. Jesus wants a full devotion, a real relationship with you.  

Pray and ask God to reveal any idols or ways of the world that cause temptation in your life.

Pray for strength to withhold temptation or desire to fall into the ways of the world.

This world isn't your friend.

Ask Jesus how you need to be and go for it.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.