One of the hardest things in this life is to let go especially when you have become attached to or fond of whatever it is you have to now release, but oftentimes life will bring us to a point where we will have to make the decision to simply “let things go.” We find ourselves holding on to material possessions, heirlooms, people, traditions and even our past. This post is simply to remind believers that once the decision has been made to follow Christ – letting go becomes the next step. There are many commandments for the believer and all are crucial to our walk and salvation.
What must we let go?
We must let go of our will. Well, I know this may raise some eyebrows because we all believe (those who understand true doctrine) in free will. Why would God make us give up our will? Well, scripture does not say He would make us give up our free will. However, scripture instructs us to let go and submit to His will for our lives, which means above our own desires, we must put the Father’s will first and yes, that is sobering. Before any man is born again, he will fulfill the desires of his flesh, continually committing grievous acts against the Father’s law whether it is lying, stealing, sexual immorality, murder, coveting, idolatry – no matter the act, an unbeliever will always fulfill the flesh or their sinful nature. However, when a person is born again, they no longer desire to please themselves but to please God (Galatians 5:16-17). Thereby, we must resist any act of rebellion that would cause us to transgress against the Most High. In Romans 8:7, Paul writes “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” As believers, we seek to please the Father by doing His will and keeping His commandments. Clearly, our greatest example of submitting to the will of Yahweh comes through the life of Christ when he was troubled in the Garden of Gethsemane. He understood the path beset before him was very difficult and instead of giving up and yielding to his flesh, He remained committed to his mission and honoring Yahweh. He submitted to the Father’s will above his own desire even though submitting meant he would suffer greatly - this is the charge to all believers. These words “nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42) may seem easy to say but my charge to you is – try it and commit to it as Christ, who is our example, has done.
We must let go of our possessions. Now, I know many people believe that what we possess is just a material matter and should not have any bearing on salvation. However, let us define what “possession” is according to Encarta Dictionary, which states it is - ownership, something owned, a state of being controlled, occupancy or property. It is quite common to desire to have control over things we treasure, whether it was acquired through our very own hard-earned money or maybe through an inheritance. No matter if it is something we own, we occupy or the current state of where we are – possessions are always temporal and should not be held to such a high standard where it creates a separation of the believer from the will of the Father and/or becomes an idol. In scripture, we are warned not to store up treasures upon earth that will only fade away, become useless, and where others will steal. In other words, we may acquire numerous things throughout this life and have many possessions but knowing they can be taken away at the blink of an eye, we should never become attached to them. Our treasures should be in heaven and on things that are eternal for we know it will not fade away, become ruined and will never be removed from us. Majority of believers have yet to let go of possessions feeling that letting go is not a necessity in their Christian walk. This may be one of the most overlooked areas by believers when beginning to follow Christ because it seems immaterial to salvation. However, it is wise in our walk to continually take a look around, assess the things that are in our home, at our job and more importantly in our heart to ensure we are not holding on to something temporal that will create separation from the Father and become the reason for committing idolatry. So, ask yourself what is it I possess that I should let go?
We must let go of people. This may be a welcomed change for many people because letting go of people is usually associated with letting go of those who may have wronged us in some manner e.g. borrowing an item and not returning it, lying or defaming our character, hurting a loved one, not helping when they were able to help, etc. Yes, I agree it may be easy to let go of people in this manner, but what if we must let go of a family member, a boss, a person we have known for many years, or a person who seems to simply be genuinely good. Well, according to scripture, there are people that we should not associate with, we should not fellowship with and we should not entertain because as a believer we are separate and called out from among the wicked. I will also point out that scripture is not bias either, in other words, the Father does not play favorites – His word is clear. Who should we let go? Well, we must let go of those who preach a different gospel (Galatians 1:8) for they are accursed. In fact, Paul is so bold he even says “If it is an angel who preaches a different gospel let them be accursed,” therefore we know it is serious who we allow to impart their beliefs and doctrine into our lives. It does not matter if it is your brother, your sister or your pastor – if they do not preach the gospel of Christ as taught by Christ and the apostles we must let them go. We must also let go of those who transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 1:9-11), basically believers must not entertain anyone who disobeys the teachings and doctrines of Christ. In fact, John says that we should not even greet them with a blessing of the Father. This is serious, there are many people rebelling against the Father and for this rebellion, they do not share the inheritance of eternal life. Christ suffering was not so wicked people could mock, ridicule or continue in their depravity, it was for the redemption of sins. Therefore, anyone who does not abide or acknowlege that Yahshua is the Messiah is not a brethren and cannot be greeted as such. Paul states, as believers we are children of the light, seeking righteousness and holiness. It is impossible for a believer to be in fellowship with one who is in constant disobedience and rebellion against the Father. It does not matter who the person may be, if they have not confessed Christ, repented and been born again then there can be no fellowship with this person and yes, these are tough commandments. However, I have learned and there are many witnesses who will testify that continuing in relationship and fellowship with the workers of iniquity will jeopardize a believer’s salvation, for those still in darkness will work diligently to pull the believer back in to depravity and the influences of the world. In other words, a believer cannot hang out, entertain, or socialize with someone whose conversations are not holy, just, and pure, of good report and actions bear the fruit of this wicked world. For example, a believer has nothing in common with a person who is still clubbing, still fornicating, still lying, and still prideful - drenched in false doctrine and/or unbelief. It is impossible because there is no agreement among the two; one is seeking to please the flesh while the other has crucified the flesh so that he or she may please Yahweh. As stated in Amos, how can two walk together unless they agree? Simply put – they cannot. Are you ready to let go of some people?
We must let go of entertainment. Yes, I know it is just a song, a movie, a football game, or a concert. Nevertheless, let us examine what should amuse or attract a believer’s attention aside from the reading of the word, studying of the word, praying and fasting. Whew, right there I believe (aside from normal day-to-day activities) most of our plates should be full. And...I did not include fellowship with other believers, helping others who are in need, sharing the gospel, discipling others, worshipping and praising the Father – seems as though there may not be too much room after all for entertainment. But, for the sake of this post, I will focus on what a person could enjoy for some relaxation time according to scripture. So many enticing options exist in this world and may seem harmless to many. Probably the greatest argument for supporting and promoting entertainment among most “Christians” today is the silence in scripture. In other words, the bible does not say "I can’t watch Twilight, go to my favorite artist concert, or buy SEASON passes to my favorite sports team." But in fact, scripture does instruct us in righteous living and that is where many clinging to the things in this world miss out in their understanding. Believers should not exalt anything above Christ and are warned to cast down imaginations (there goes the television and the radio) or anything that is in total opposition of Christ and His message (2 Corinthians 10:5). At all times, we should think on things that are true, righteous, holy, just and of good report (Philippians 4:8) which means we have to discontinue going to see some of these movies, watching these filthy television shows, listening to a lot of the music promoted today or even attending certain sporting events. If you find yourself in a stadium or a place where the focus is far from Yahweh and when you look around everyone is idolizing a person or a team – it is time to let go. Most of the entertainment today focuses and portrays vile imagery, promoting much evil - all of which the Father hates i.e., violence, sex, drugs, lies, cheating, treachery, stealing, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, covetousness, idolatry, murder, greed, pride, lust, humanism and the list goes on. It is very difficult (almost impossible) in the present age to find entertainment that is genuinely good or as scripture expresses, is righteous in its content. Believers are commanded to examine everything and when we discern what we entertain or adorn during our leisure time is not of the Father, we should let go having no participation in any of the wickedness or the deeds of this adulterous generation. More importantly, what we allow to entertain our soul can be grievous to the Holy Spirit and Ephesian 4:30 commands that we “…grieve not the holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed unto the day of redemption.” If what you participate in, enjoy and/or watch will not be permitted in Christ Kingdom and in Heaven, then why entertain it here on earth? In other words if it is wicked – bind it and cast it away from you it is of no good to your spiritual soul and your salvation.
Lastly…
We must let go of pride. This one is hard to let go of because it can portray itself in so many ways. We do not always realize how we walk in pride especially when it comes to matters of the heart. However, pride can be found at the root of many things throughout society such as racisim and social injustices and it can be found at the root of our behavior, how we treat others and the blessings we have received. As a society, we have become full of pride, constantly craving recognitions and rewards for our accomplishments. Prideful ideologies manifest in today’s culture in many ways even if someone has failed, it has become the "norm" to recognize the failure as success in hopes to build a better society. Today's culture promotes the “pride of life” concept, which encompasses exalting behaviors and beliefs that are rebellious and wicked. For example, single mothers are encouraged, in fact lifted up for being independent and raising their kids absent of a father. While no one should walk around in constant shame, it is equally wrong to exhort or promote "single motherhood" as an acceptable representation of our Heavenly Father's family unit. The Father’s family unit consists of a husband, who is the head of his wife and then children who are obedient to both their mother and father - anything outside of this should never be promoted in society as right or lawful. Pride has also caused many to embrace false religions and unsound doctrine where the focus is on the person, or a race of people. Many religions as well as doctrines promote such fallacy like the Kemetic Religion that ultimately promotes pride in one’s race and ancestry or the serpent seed doctrine which promotes racisim and the oppression of a people based upon the false belief that one group has been cursed and is the direct lineage of Satan. An increasingly popular belief is centered on this Age of Aquarius promoting a false peace, love, unity and self-awareness/humanism. During this age, many are seeking the fifth dimensional consciousness ultimately believing and aspiring to unlock their god-like state. This lie was instilled in the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden by the serpent Satan and has grown to become a belief so many embrace and believe today. In Isaiah 14: 12-15, scripture reveals that Satan’s sin was pride because as a beautiful, wise and a mighty angel he began to covet Yahweh’s throne and desired to exalt himself to be like the Most High. Because of Satan’s pride, he was brought down to hell to the sides of the pit. The Most High God resisteth the proud and we know “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Pride will prevent humanity from acknowledging Yahweh as the Most High and the Creator; it will challenge any notion that there is an entity or source of life that cannot be ascertained or understood by the wisdom and thinking of men. Pride has caused men to boast in their accomplishments and attempts to be strong and infinite by their own might. Of course, we know that a prudent or wise man will conceal knowledge but the heart of fools will proclaim foolishness. Yahweh alone has made all things and His wisdom is too great and vast for men (Isaiah 44:24). The LORD detests all of the proud at heart and we can be sure they will not go unpunished. As believers, we must check our “pridefulness” at the door and pray to be humble and meek in all of our ways and our thinking. Ask yourself the question - what makes you have a high or inordinate opinion of your own dignity, importance and merit? Then work to overcome this attribute while there is time.
Ultimately, we must let go of who we once were. Scripture admonishes us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). This is very important because when we confess Christ, repent and become a new creature in Him, we must put away our old ways, habits and even the people we are around as well as the places we go. We cannot continue in the same mindset as the world unless we truly are not changed and have no desire to change. The concept of “letting things go” to follow your belief is difficult for many to embrace and why countless are not able to make the commitment. The commandment to transform into the image of Christ is one of the reasons believers will often backslide or refuse to walk in righteousness because letting go will require so much sacrifice and work. The reality is most of what we let go, we should have never embraced or acquired in the beginning for they were never of God. This is a difficult walk and we must count the cost of following Christ. There is an “everlasting” reward for those who remain faithful until the end, and it is - everlasting life. Once the decision has been made to follow Christ, it is important to pray without ceasing, continue studying and become a part of a fellowship of true believers. More importantly, we must continue to renew our minds daily and work towards being transformed in Christ – Peace and Love!
