Give it up. Don't give in.

"We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” (Matthew 19:27)


 The 12 disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus. Almost all champions of faith have done the same thing because growing in faith requires sacrifice. 

 Promoters of cheap grace, or grace without repentance, claim that Jesus did it all for us and that all we need is to accept him. Yet when we carefully study the Bible, we see that our active participation is crucial in receiving God's salvation. Jesus' command of "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48)is a clear example of our part in receiving God's grace and growing spiritually.

 In today's Gospel reading we hear Jesus encouraging his disciples to leave people/things behind to follow Him. This may sound very difficult for us specially if we are not involved in active ministry. Maybe you don't have to leave your family behind or sell or your positions and feed the poor to follow Jesus. However, you can certainly examine yourself and see what is stopping you from following Jesus wholeheartedly. Maybe it's the series of bad habits that you have developed throughout the years. Sin comes in many forms; such as apathy, overindulgence, and addiction. Maybe it's the people in your life who encourage bad behavior and steer you away from God. Only you know what is that hurdle. 

 When we look at life examples of the disciples of Jesus and the saints who gave up everything to follow Jesus, we realize that there are things that we need to give up to clear the way for us to fully accept God's salvation. This may sound challenging but it is not impossible. Let us ask God's help through the words of Saint Nerses the Gracious:

 "You who bring back those who have gone astray, turn me away from my evil habits to good habits and imprint upon my soul the dreadful day of death, the fear of hell and the love of kingdom, so that I may repent from my sis and do righteousness. Have mercy upon your creatures, and upon me, great sinner that I am" (In Faith I Confess-#17).

 When it comes to sin, give it up. Don't give in.
Yours,
Fr. Nareg


Read the Word of God. Today's readings are: Proverbs 3:1-6; Jeremiah 17:7-8; 2 Timothy 2:3-10; Matthew 19:27-29

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