In 311 A.D., Constantine the Great legalized Christianity. Christians no longer had to hide their faith or fear dying.
Because Constantine made Christianity the empire's official religion, everyone wanted to be a Christian so they would be in the emperor's good graces.
Unfortunately, church leaders could not keep up with the kind of deep, thorough teaching and indoctrination necessary to erase pagan practices so people would understand and live Christ's faith.
As a result, pagan practices infiltrated church life. People joined a church simply because doing so was politically correct. There was no full understanding of the kind of sacrificial or generous life called for by Jesus.
One day, a young, rich, respectable man approached Jesus. It seems as though he wanted to boast about all his good deeds and pious behavior, and be recognized for all the fantastic ways he had kept all aspects of Jewish law.
Surely that would be worthy of praise from this great rabbi.
Jesus told this young man that he had done pretty well. Jesus also knew what was in the man’s heart. Jesus said there was only one thing left for the young man to do: sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor. Then he could follow Jesus.
The man went away sad because he had many possessions. He could not give them up. There would be nothing left for him.
Jesus knew what was in the young man’s heart, and how painful his words would be to the young man. But Jesus spoke the words anyway. And he did it in love.
Jesus knows our intentions of giving ourselves to him completely are good, but there often is something — or more than one something — that prevents us from giving ourselves completely to him.
What do you need to give up to make Jesus first in your life? Where is your heart? Are you part of a church because it is the proper or popular thing to do, or because the Lord has transformed your heart?
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: Following Jesus requires giving up other things