All-In for Jesus

What does it look like to be all-in for Jesus? When’s the last time you suffered for Jesus? What did that look like? What does it look like to follow Jesus, to deny oneself, to suffer for Jesus? And is it even possible in America – to really suffer for Jesus?

The New Testament church sold their possessions, all the disciples but John were martyred for their faith and John went through tremendous persecution. We could talk about what the Roman Empire did to Christians, Nero, and so much more. And today, look at Christians in foreign lands being executed for believing in Jesus. I listened to an interview a couple years ago, a pastor and his wife fled Afghanistan and came to America, the wife was saved in Afghanistan and had never been to America. She was saddened by what she saw here and wanted to go back – to persecution, to possible death. Why? Because she was all-in!

You may be thinking, geez Christy, that’s a bit harsh.

I know there are followers of Jesus, here in America that really sacrifice for others, for Jesus. But for the majority of us, we live comfortable lives that probably look like this, at best. We have a warm home, plenty to eat, all the “things” we want, we give, we tithe, we attend church and Bible studies, we serve at our church, we share the Gospel occasionally. We might even serve a mission, or the homeless or go on a mission trip once in a while. And all of these are good things but I know there’s more to this life of being a Jesus follower.

I don’t see anywhere in scripture that encourages us to live cushy lives, in fact, it’s the complete opposite. I’m going to talk to myself here, when is the last time I gave until it hurt, truly sacrificed to give abundantly, sacrificed my comfort, my time, my very life to make Jesus known? Even doing prison ministry, there were many hours of serving the incarcerated but it was not a sacrifice like the early church or churches in countries that have to hide to gather together or share their Faith. What’s worse? We don’t even do that on any kind of regular basis, share Jesus with people.

This give back tour I’m offering this year…if I’m honest, it’s not a huge sacrifice. some time, finances… I’m praying God will use it to help ministries and missions in God’s Kingdom work and that He will use my songs to touch people’s lives but for me personally, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to what I should be doing.

What may I do for You, Lord Jesus? How do you want me to suffer for You? How should I be denying myself to make You famous?

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. Philippians 1:29

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12

For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:17

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:19

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

Dying to self – how are you doing that today?