Why Following God Isn’t About Giving Things Up

When most people think about following God, their minds immediately go to sacrifice: the things they have to give up, the habits they have to quit, or the lifestyles they have to leave behind. But what if that’s the wrong starting point?

What if following God isn’t about what you lose—but what you gain?

Grace Isn’t a Trade—It’s a Gift

The idea that you have to clean yourself up to come to God misses the entire point of grace. Salvation was never a transaction where you give up enough bad things and finally become “worthy.” It was a rescue. A purchase. A redemption by someone who saw you at your worst and still chose to love you.

You don’t earn a gift. You receive it.

And once you receive it, that gift begins to change you from the inside out.

God Doesn’t Demand Change—He Produces It

You don’t overcome addiction, anger, or fear by simply trying harder. Real change isn’t powered by guilt—it’s powered by identity. Once you truly understand who you are in Christ, certain things just stop fitting.

You stop fighting your old habits because they no longer match your new nature.

The behavior you once protected becomes baggage you’re ready to leave behind—not because you “gave it up,” but because you outgrew it.

The Wages of Sin vs. The Gift of God

Romans 6:23 draws a bold line:

“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.”

Sin pays in wages. But God gives gifts.

And when we treat salvation like a paycheck, we misunderstand the heart of the gospel.

You didn’t earn grace.

You didn’t perform your way into right standing with God.

You were rescued.

Redemption Is About Receiving

Think about Ruth. She didn’t hustle her way out of poverty. She simply received Boaz’s covering and entered into covenant. And with that covenant came provision, protection, purpose—and a new identity.

Following Jesus is like that.

You don’t fix your life to earn His love.

You receive His love—and it transforms your life.

You don’t surrender to earn. You surrender to receive.

You’re Not a Sinner Trying to Be Righteous

You’re the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. You’ve been adopted into His family, chosen on purpose, paid for with a price. God doesn’t see you as a project to be fixed. He sees you as someone He redeemed—fully, completely, and intentionally.

That’s why confidence isn’t arrogance.

When you know who you are, you pray different.

You walk different.

You speak to storms with authority because you’re not trying to earn access—you already have it.

Final Thought: Stop Fixing What’s Already Finished

Jesus didn’t die so you could spend your life negotiating with guilt or obsessing over your behavior.

He died so you could be free. Free to walk in purpose. Free to live boldly. Free to stop chasing peace and finally live in it.

So the next time you’re tempted to ask, “What do I have to give up?”

Try asking instead, “What have I been given?”

Because once you truly receive the gift, you’ll realize—you’re leaving here with something.

Want to hear the full message?

Watch “Why Following God Isn’t About Giving Things Up” on YouTube for a deeper revelation of what grace really means and why identity always comes before behavior.

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