0511. 500. Leaving Things

500. Leaving Things

“He Left the Oxen, and Ran After Elijah” 1Ki_19:20

Some things are left behind to our loss, but others to our gain. There are things mentioned in Scripture, that were left behind to the gain of those who left them, and in following the will of God:

1. Abraham left Ur of the Chaldees, and its idolatry; and illustrates God’s calling in conversion—Gen_12:1-4.

2. The Israelites left the bondage and bitterness of Egypt; and corresponds to being delivered from sin and the world—Exo_12:40-42.

3. Bartimaeus left his garment in responding to the call of Christ, and illustrates we should leave anything that hinders us in following our Lord—Mar_10:50.

4. The woman of Samaria left her water-pot, in going to her friends to tell them she had found the Saviour, and shows how one may leave legitimate things in the Lord’s work—Joh_4:28.

5. Joseph left his coat in the hands of Potiphar’s wife, rather than sin with her. Faithfulness sometimes seems to incriminate us—Gen_39:1-20.

6. David left behind the armour of Saul, for it was an encumbrance to him. What is right to others, may be an encumbrance to us—1Sa_17:39.

7. Paul left behind his religiosity, because it kept him from Christ and the fullness of His blessing—Php_3:4-7.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH