What does "forsake all" actually mean?

joechristianwarrior said:

Jesus told His disciples to leave everything and follow Him. When we look at how Peter, James, John, and Levi responded, we see that they didn't merely agree with Jesus intellectually — they took concrete action. They left behind careers, possessions, and security to follow Him.

How should Christians understand these passages today? Are these examples only descriptive of the first disciples, or do they reveal something about the level of commitment Jesus expects from all of His followers?

I've been studying this topic recently and put together a short video exploring it. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the question itself, whether or not you watch the video.

Click to expand...

Luke 14: 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Consider that His Disciples were all religious men who Professed to know God when Jesus came to them. All these Jews were not Atheists, and were no stranger to the Temple in Jerusalem or the Laws of Moses being read each sabbath Day. The disciples knew of the Prophesied Messiah before Jesus became known to them. To "follow" Him, they would have to deny their own religion, their own religious traditions and commandments of men they were taught. Their family would reject them, all their zealous religious friends would abandon them. They would be humiliated and at times embarrassed, as their pride would be broken for their own good.

They would became Abel's, Caleb's, David's, Danial's, Peter's, Stephens, hated and despised by the religious men of this world, "because" they crucified the old man, and "put on" the New Man, which after God is created in Righteousness and True Holiness. Hated "because" they strived to walk, even as Jesus walked, in righteousness.

What defiles a man comes from within, pride, selfishness, pride, covetousness, and pride. The lust for the praise of men, to be recognized, to justify whatever we do or choose.

These are the things Jesus was talking about when HE said to forsake all "that we have". The only thing a man really has, is his pride and selfishness. These are men's most treasured possessions. Money, feeds pride and eliminates humiliation. Fame feeds pride and bring power the man who has it. When it comes right down to it, Pride is the only possession we have. Jesus said those who fall on Him, are broken. This is the Pride that is broken. A man can give away all his material things, but if he still has his pride, it means nothing.

1 John 2: 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For "all" that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

In the end of days, there will come a time that you will have to flee your home. Your family will not come with you. If you fail, then you will die along with your family and friends. This is Isaiah 24 stuff. Check out Isaiah 24:18 which mentions fleeing. Notice that this also represents the narrow gate in Matthew 7.

You watch for Jesus so you can be ready to flee before your part of the planet is wiped out, like in Revelation.

joechristianwarrior said:

I see. So from your perspective, it has nothing to do with anything literal? Like, we don't need to forsake possessions, or relationships, or anything like that?

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Literal and material are not the same thing, I never said anything about "literal". I am looking for the Truth of the Scriptures here. "Pride" is literal, but not material. I don't believe Jesus advocated that a man married with children forsakes his job, wife and children, gives away his material house, car and live in a tent "in Christ's Name" so he can qualify to be His Disciple. I don't believe that was Christ's Point.

I'm seeking God's Truth as to what HE means for men to forsake. We don't own anything but our pride, in my understanding. Your money, wife, children, even your friends are not really yours. When you die, they are still here, still owned by their true owner. But your Pride you take with you. It dies when you die. It is truly something that you "Have" to forsake.

A man can "forsake" literal money, relationships, or anything like that in Christ's Name, but if their Pride is not forsaken, it means nothing. I have met a lot of poor prideful men who profess that they know God, but refuse to "Humble themselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt them in due time"

The Pride is the first thing to go. Repent means to admit you are wrong and commit to changing your ways. Which means your ways are evil and God's Ways are Good.

Don't separate Christ's Words from Christ's Words. Matt. 21: 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone "shall be broken": but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

How can a man know what "literal" things to forsake, if he is unwilling to give up his pride?

joechristianwarrior said:

Jesus told His disciples to leave everything and follow Him. When we look at how Peter, James, John, and Levi responded, we see that they didn't merely agree with Jesus intellectually — they took concrete action. They left behind careers, possessions, and security to follow Him.

How should Christians understand these passages today? Are these examples only descriptive of the first disciples, or do they reveal something about the level of commitment Jesus expects from all of His followers?

I've been studying this topic recently and put together a short video exploring it. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the question itself, whether or not you watch the video.

Click to expand...

When Jesus truly reigns as Lord of our lives, we relinquish all ownership of our time, possessions, loved ones and future hopes to Him.

joechristianwarrior said:

Jesus told His disciples to leave everything and follow Him. When we look at how Peter, James, John, and Levi responded, we see that they didn't merely agree with Jesus intellectually — they took concrete action. They left behind careers, possessions, and security to follow Him.

How should Christians understand these passages today? Are these examples only descriptive of the first disciples, or do they reveal something about the level of commitment Jesus expects from all of His followers?

I've been studying this topic recently and put together a short video exploring it. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the question itself, whether or not you watch the video.

Click to expand...

I think it might be context dependent. IE Jesus said to follow him and they/Peter left everything and went according to what was asked. Later, after Jesus was crucified you find Peter fishing again. Jesus does not chastise him for going back to his work. It seems until Peter knows what is next he is living practically. Some of this may depend on your calling. Friends of mine were called to be missionaries in Africa. They left everything and went. I was called to be a counselor in my home town. I obeyed but did not leave anything behind other than not making the big money I thought I might make as a doctor. I have had health issues for decades but continue to work even though some days are very painful. This may be my cross. Jesus also said that you will receive a hundred fold in forsaking things and people. I have gotten to know and be personally involved with hundreds of people. I have come to see good relationships as being a high priority in my life. My friends in Africa became a part of a very meaningful community for decades. God asks for our lives and commitment but gives a lot back to us.