Jesus isn’t someone you simply add to whatever other thing you choose. You cannot worship Jesus and another religion. You cannot worship Jesus and love money. You cannot worship Jesus and love material things. You must turn from error to embrace Him as Lord alone. Jesus Himself said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24). You give up every other master to gain Christ, who is the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44–46). He takes all of you, and you receive all of Him.
Matthew 16:24-26 CSB
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. [25] For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it. [26] For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life?
But like the rich young ruler who rejected Christ for the sake of holding on to his riches, many people are unwilling to exchange their wants and wealth for the only One who can save their soul. Many just walk away without Christ.
Luke 18:18-23 CSB
A ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [19] “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. [20] You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and mother. ” [21] “I have kept all these from my youth,” he said. [22] When Jesus heard this, he told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” [23] After he heard this, he became extremely sad, because he was very rich.
We must hold fast to Christ’s sufficiency—never adding to it or taking from it. And nothing can ever separate us from Him (Romans 8:35–39). What more do we need?
Colossians 2:3,8-10,14 CSB
In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [8] Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ. [9] For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, [10] and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. [14] He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.
Romans 8:28-39 CSB
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. [29] For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified. [31] What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? [32] He did not even spare his own Son but offered him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? [33] Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. [34] Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. [35] Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Are you resting and trusting in the sufficiency of Christ? Is Christ everything to you? If so, thank Him for His fullness. If not, perhaps you’ve been trusting in failing, deceptive, inept human wisdom; meaningless religious rituals; or some kind of mystical experience formed in your own mind and unrelated to reality. Maybe you’ve been thinking that your own self-denial or self-imposed pain will somehow gain favor with God. If that’s the case, put it all aside, and in simple childlike faith embrace the risen Christ as your Lord and Savior. He will give you complete salvation, complete forgiveness, and complete victory. All you need in the spiritual dimension for time and eternity is found in Him. Repent of your sin and submit your life to Him now!
Somebody's Gotta Say It... 