Why Do We Have to Forsake Everything?

Why Do We Have to Forsake Everything?

“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33.

“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” 2 Cor. 4:3-4.

“For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Eph. 5:5.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15.

Here we have a clear answer as to why we have to forsake everything in order to be Jesus’ disciple. “The god of this age” is the devil who tempted Jesus. Loving something that is his or yearning for something that belongs to him puts us into contact with him and makes us into idol worshipers.

Paul clearly teaches this to us in 1 Corinthians 10:19-22. He writes that neither idols themselves nor what is offered to idols is anything, but what they are sacrificing they sacrifice to demons and not to God. We cannot drink of the cup of the Lord and of the cup of demons. He writes further, “Or do we dare to provoke the Lord to jealousy?” And then, “Are we stronger than He?”

Jesus gives us simple and clear instructions about the way. He is the light of the world, saying, “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

In this manner we will receive all the earthly things we need. Then we are set free from evil spirits and can experience spiritual growth, development, and rest in God.

We see that all strife in the world concerns authority, honor, and the things that are in the world. There is neither rest nor peace for those who love the things of this world. They are driven by the frog spirits—demonic spirits who are gathering for war. Rev. 16:13-14. These were the spirits that influenced Israel when they murmured, those who were destroyed by the destroyer. 1 Cor. 10:10. These are the same spirits that influence us when we murmur. We provoke the Lord if we love anything of this world. We who have this hope of seeing the Father as He is need this exhortation, especially in these times of abundance.

“And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3.