Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that the answer to this question would not be a standardized thing or list of things that would be the same for everyone, but would be different for each individual. It is also not so much a matter of the things themselves, but of attitudes and priorities.

Each of us must be willing to give up anything that comes between us and God, or that we love or are attached to more than God, regardless of how much importance we assign to it. (Jesus likened this to removing even our eye or hand if they cause us to sin (Matthew 5:29-30).)

As illustrated by Jesus' experience with the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22), even outward obedience to the commandments found in the Bible cannot compensate for loving something more than God (which, in effect, makes that thing our de facto god).

September 21 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Grant Abbott Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

I believe all people need to give up 2 things to inherit eternal life; 1) give up all our secret sins and turn away from them, and 2) give up control of our lives to Jesus Christ to follow him. These principles are beautifully illustrated in the story of the rich young ruler.

This rich young ruler was not willing to confess his secret sin of coveting the great wealth he had. Jesus came to sacrifice himself to pay the penalty for “all” our sin. If we refuse to admit a particular sin how can it be forgiven. Even after coming to faith in Jesus, if we refuse to confess certain sins, they become a barrier in our relationship with God; we don’t experience his presence and blessings as much, because he’s not pleased with us.

The rich young man was not willing to repent of his sin. Jesus told him he needed to give away all his wealth to demonstrate his repentance (to break the hold that the sin of covetousness had on his life), but he refused. We too need to turn away from our sins, confession alone is not enough. John the Baptist came preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

The rich young man would not give up control of his life. Jesus said “follow me” but he refused. For each of us, confession and repentance is not enough. We must give up control of our lives to Jesus; to humble ourselves and lay aside our pride and independence.

Why is this true? Jesus sacrifice as Saviour was enough to reconcile all people to God, who believe in Jesus, so God made him king over all creation. He is the Lord Jesus Christ because of the following truth in Philippians 2:5-11:

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Why is surrender so important? 1) To follow Jesus is to believe he is the Messiah, to accept him as our personal saviour. 2) Because God has a plan and purpose for each of our lives, to continue the mission of Jesus and transform the world we live in. We have the Holy Spirit living in us, to give us the wisdom and power to complete our mission. 3) Besides, when we follow Jesus, he is the creator of the universe, so he knows how to give us the most abundantly fulfilling and deeply satisfying life possible.

The disciples said they had given up everything to follow Jesus. What was his response:

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life” (Luke 18:29-30).

September 21 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report