Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Let’s contemplate what we’re willing to lose for Christ.

In today’s scripture, Philippians 3:7-9 (NIV), the Apostle Paul testified…
[7] But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Consider…
Today’s scripture made me think of a story about monkeys being trapped by their own greed. When I googled it, I found Jo Futerman’s Coaching blog which shares…

In his book, Full Catastrophe Living, Jon Kabat-Zinn tells a story of how farmers in India would catch monkeys that were destroying their crops. Because they practiced compassion, shooting or killing the monkeys was not an option. They had to find a way to capture the monkey, and then return it to the jungle.

After observing the monkeys, one farmer found a way. He cut a small hole in a coconut, just big enough so that the monkey could slide its hand through. He put a banana inside the coconut, then tied it to the side of a tree. The monkey came up, smelled the banana, and stuck its hand into the coconut to grab the banana. When it tried to pull its hand out, because his hand was clenched in a fist holding the banana, it did not fit out of the small hole. And because the monkey refused to let go of the banana, the farmer was able to capture it. Had the monkey just let go, he would be free.
Much like the monkey with the banana, we have a tendency to hold on to things — things that don’t necessarily serve us. Old habits, behaviors and even relationships. Attachment is a very natural part of life. But sometimes those things that we’re attached to are the very things that hold us back, even causing pain in our lives.

What are you holding on to that no longer serves you? Just for today, what can you let go of in order to be free? No, it’s not always easy. But neither is living life on a roller coaster, or living in pain.

Futerman’s post reminds me of James 4:2-5 (NLT), which admonishes…
[2] You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. [3] And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. [4] You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. [5] Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.

Both James’ admonition and Futerman’s challenge to let go of non-beneficial things, validate the Apostle Paul’s wisdom of letting go of the trappings of fortune and fame in order to gain righteosness with God in Jesus Christ’s name.

We love to celebrate Ephesians 2:8-9 which explains salvation is free. But it’s important to remember the fact
that salvation is free because Jesus paid the price for our sin. We also neglect to read a companion scripture that expounds on our freedom, found in Romans 8:1-2 (NLT). It says…
[1] So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. [2] And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

We’re free from the penalty and power of sin based on our relationship with Christ. And according to Jesus, a relationship with Him will cost us everything. He explained in Matthew 10:37-38 (NLT)…
[37] “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. [38] If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. [39] If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

Far too often we focus on what we will receive from God, but fail to read the bold print of what we must lose in exchange.

Speaking of losing exchanges, Galatians 5:24-25 (NLT) demands…
[24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. [25] Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

God makes it very clear that He expects exclusivity in our relationship with Him. Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (NLT) illustrates this truth. It says…
[4] “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. [5] And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. [6] And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.

And just a few verses later in Deuteronomy 6:14-18 (NLT) we read further evidence. It says…
[14] “You must not worship any of the gods of neighboring nations, [15] for the Lord your God, who lives among you, is a jealous God. His anger will flare up against you, and he will wipe you from the face of the earth. [16] You must not test the Lord your God as you did when you complained at Massah. [17] You must diligently obey the commands of the Lord your God—all the laws and decrees he has given you. [18] Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so all will go well with you. Then you will enter and occupy the good land that the Lord swore to give your ancestors.

As you can see, God didn’t mince words! We are either for or against Him. There is no middle ground.

So today, I encourage you to adopt the Apostle Paul’s mentality that…
I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.

The Holy Spirit showed me one last example of God wanting us to give up everything for Him. Remember the rich young ruler who wasn’t willing to give up His wealth? Recall Luke 18:21-23 (NLT) said…
[21] The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” [22] When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” [23] But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.

Today, don’t be like the rich young ruler, instead be willing to trade it all for Christ.

Today’s Song is…
Trade It All

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)