Giving It

[Jesus speaking], “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
Mark 8:34-35 NLT

Recently, I watched a couple shows where entertainers were being introduced and every time, without fail, the one doing the introduction would say, "Put your hands together and give it up for so-and-so." Then everyone would start clapping and whistling and yelling, or they would say, "Put your hands together and show some love" and the same pandemonium would break out. One could deduce from their actions that to give it up means to show some love.

That would certainly be true in some aspects of building relationships. Something that is detrimental to a relationship or your part of the relationship - such as a bad habit or lack of judgment - giving it up would be showing love. Let's be clear that I'm not talking about the unhealthy bargaining chip of "If you really love me, you would..." But rather, are we willing to give up something to show real love? Without violating Scripture? Can we do it without compromising our moral beliefs?

One example might be giving up cigarettes - the now non-smoker will live longer, you don't want to endanger the lives of those around you. You want to be healthier, live longer for those you love, etc., and so it would be giving it up to show love.

Are we willing to give it up (whatever ‘IT’is) for the truest love? Jesus did. He gave His life to show His love. Will we give Him ours to show Him love?

Prayer:

Father,
             Your Word tells us in Matthew 19:29 that everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for Your sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. And we might offer up our lives such as they are, but You sent Christ so that we could have life and have it more abundantly. Father, we want to give it up to show our love. Help us to do it according to Your will. We want to be ready to see You when You return. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen