Give Up
Giving up everything for Jesus is not a popular salvation teaching in church today. I think no one sees salvation this way. We're used to Paul's by grace through faith doctrine, not of ourselves, not of our works, it is a gift from God, so no one can boast. Which is true because Paul got his teachings from Christ's revelations. But church misses what it means to be saved by faith. Faith means we believe and obey all that Jesus did for us and all he taught---ALL he taught---among which is giving up everything to be a true disciple.
Photo above by Rapha Wilde on Unsplash.
Non-Christians must see that receiving Jesus into their lives for salvation includes giving up everything they have for him, not just receiving Jesus. You see this principle in the Book of Acts and elsewhere in the epistles, like those who were persecuted and "joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions," [Hebrews 10.34]. Their way of life was marked with disinterest in material possessions: "those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away," [1 Corinthians 7.30-31].
Philippians 3.7-8: 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.
It makes so much sense. You cannot love both God and mammon. You cannot have a relationship with Jesus and also hold on to things he says you should give up. You cannot gain Christ if you don't consider everything a loss, even garbage, give them up and give to the poor. Yet, very few in church take these teachings seriously. The money value system or Mystery Babylon system has its foothold in church. No wonder God says in Revelation 18.4, "Come out of her my people!"
Jesus’ discipleship is radical, uncompromising, and deeply challenging. In Luke 14:33, he declares, “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” It cuts to the heart of what it means to follow Him: discipleship is not about partial commitment, but total surrender. GIVE UP EVERYTHING, no less. To be authentic, a disciple must give up everything—money, possessions, ambitions, ego, relationships—because clinging to them reveals divided loyalty. Without this surrender, all religious activity becomes empty ritual, “man’s religion,” lacking the life-transforming power of Christ which is a vital part of Jesus' salvation teachings. Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom.
Church does not put genuine emphasis on this because it will have to sell all its properties and give to the poor, which it refuses to do. Denominations will have to sell all its buildings, facilities, vehicles, equipments, etc. and give to the poor. Jesus said give up everything. We shouldn't water this down or interpret it to our convenience. Precisely why Jesus, the apostles and the Acts church never thought of buying properties and putting up buildings for church use. Instead, they gave up everything and provided for the needy.
Jesus consistently emphasized that possessions are not to be hoarded but shared with the poor. In Luke 12:33 He tells all disciples: “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, a treasure in the heaven that does not fail.” Giving a pittance will not work. You have to give up everything you have. Similarly, in Matthew 19:21, He tells the rich young ruler, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Notice that the proceeds are not meant to fund church programs, buildings, buy properties, fund mission work or church ministry but to directly bless the poor. This radical redistribution of wealth is a visible sign of surrender, showing that one’s trust is no longer in material security but in God’s kingdom and supernatural provisions.
Yet surrender is not limited to money. Jesus also said in Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” And mind you again, this is part of Jesus' teachings on salvation. This does not mean literal hatred, though, but loyalty to Him must surpass even the deepest human ties. Ego, self-centeredness, pride in titles, degrees, or careers—all must be laid down. Paul echoes this in Philippians 3:7–8, and I re-mention it here: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Paul’s words show that surrender is not theoretical; it is lived out by treating worldly achievements as trash compared to Christ.
But look around and you'd see churches too particular about titles and degrees. They have a long list of achievements when introducing speakers during worship services. Their denominations have "church founders" who formulate denominational doctrines that keep them apart. There's only one Founder and Foundation, Jesus Christ, and all these unkingdomly practices must all be given up entirely.
Surrender is inseparable from salvation. One cannot claim to be saved yet refuse discipleship, for salvation and discipleship are two sides of the same coin. Paul reminds believers in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, “You are not your own, you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” To be “bought with a price” means belonging wholly to Christ. You own nothing, not even your life. Thus, saying “I am saved but not a disciple” is a contradiction. Salvation is not a ticket to heaven while living for self; it is entry into a life of radical obedience, where Christ is Lord over every aspect of existence. Church has not been teaching it this way and remains powerless to this day. They separate salvation from discipleship and produce half-cooked "believers" who think genuine Jesus discipleship is optional.
And all they look for in church is fun.
The authenticity of discipleship lies in this total surrender. Programs, titles, and church activities cannot substitute for it. A person may be busy in ministry yet remain unsurrendered, clinging to their money, possessions, pride, positions, or relationships. Jesus warns in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” The will of the Father is clear: discipleship requires renouncing all for Christ. Anything less is empty religion.
In practice, this surrender manifests in generosity to the poor, humility in service, detachment from worldly honors, and unwavering loyalty to Christ above family or career. It is not asceticism for its own sake, but a joyful exchange: giving up what is temporary (and trash) to gain what is eternal (and valuable). As Jesus said in Mark 8:35, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” This idea of losing our lives for Jesus to save it is very seldom preached in church. The paradox is that in losing everything, the disciple gains true life.
Jesus’ call to give up everything is not optional—it is the essence of discipleship. Without it, faith is hollow, salvation is misunderstood (probably none), and religion becomes man-centered. But with it, the disciple enters into authentic fellowship with Christ, treasures in heaven, and the joy of being truly free. To surrender all is to gain Christ Himself, and that is the greatest reward of all.
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