ResurrenderPrimjer

THE PRICE OF RESURRENDER: EVERYTHING

One of the most challenging stories you will read in the Bible is the story of the rich young ruler, a young man who had everything he wanted but didn’t know what he needed. In Matthew 19 he has an encounter with Jesus that shaped his eternity, but the story also teaches us a lesson on the price of surrender.

The rich young ruler asks Jesus what is required to enter into eternity. This question itself is a great insight into humanity. We are always wanting to know what we need to DO to get what we WANT. What is the formula? What is the three-step plan? What is the pathway? What is the next step? But this story reminds us that God is not looking for a list of tasks to complete to enter Heaven; God is looking for a surrendered heart.

After the young man conveys that he lives what appears to be a very righteous life—he follows all of the traditions; he obeys all of the customs, and does all of the right things—Jesus identifies the missing piece in his life. When asked to give away everything he owned to live out the calling on his life, the price seemed too high, and at this the young man walked away unchanged and unhappy with Jesus’ response.

Jesus was not highlighting that He wants our money, Jesus was highlighting that He wants our heart.

What are we willing to give? What are we willing to submit? What are we willing to surrender to God? I am not saying that every time you get paid you must give all your money to the church. I am not saying that everything you own needs to be thrown out or given to someone else. I am not even saying that believers must live in poverty to follow God’s will. What I am saying is: are you willing to give to God whatever He asks of you? Are you willing to give God your money? Are you willing to give God your family? Are you willing to give God your home? Are you willing to give God your time? ARE YOU WILLING?

The truth is: the cost of salvation is NOTHING. Jesus paid the entire price for our salvation in full. However, the cost of discipleship is EVERYTHING. It will cost you nothing to be saved, but it will cost you everything to follow Him.

We all love having a savior, but we struggle with making him Lord. But the truth is, Jesus is both Lord AND Savior. Yes, He saved us from Hell. Yes, He saved us from our mess. Yes, He saved us from sin, but He is more than our Savior; He is also our Lord. That means He is King, He is the driver, He is calling the shots, and we as followers must be surrendered to wherever He is going, whatever He is saying, and wherever He is leading.

When we understand that everything we have belongs to God, it changes how we view what we have. The things we own, don’t own us because everything is surrendered to God. The rich young ruler didn’t have money. Money had him. And what had him, stopped him from stepping into his destiny.

God always moves to the level of your surrender. The greater the surrender, the greater the calling. Today, choose to surrender what you have to God. God is faithful, God is able, and God will always provide everything that you need.

QUESTIONS:

1. What are you willing to give up to live out the call of God on your life?
2. What are the things that are stopping you from surrendering your resource to God?