Given Over vs. Given Up

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NASB) says:

"Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

I may be making a major point out of a minor detail but I want to suggest that there is a difference being stated here by the simple use of the word "up".  Paul, writing as an inspired apostle could have stated that Jesus gave Himself "over" for us.  This might have implied that He gave Himself over to the authorities who would charge and kill Him.  It could have meant that He gave Himself over to God's desires for Him.

However, he stated that Christ "gave Himself up for us".  The use of the word "up" in my mind seems to insist that the cross is in mind here.  Jesus was raised up or lifted up (Jn 3:14) to be crucified.  Therefore, this giving up, although very similar to giving over, seems to point to the cross and His ultimate sacrifice and form of love toward us.

Why is this important?  Is there a difference?  I just wonder this morning if I have given myself "over" to Christ or "up" to Him.  Giving over is like a transfer of ownership.  I give over my title to my car when someone else buys it from me or my deed to the house when such a transaction has occurred.  This is certainly true Spiritually as well.  As a follower of Christ I am called to give over to God my rights and my "ownership".  I give it back to God, the Creator, to whom it rightfully belongs.

Yet, somehow I feel as if I haven't always given "up".  Giving up is surrendering.  Giving up is ceasing to strive against.  It's a complete surrender.  I think of giving up as like a soldier throwing up the white flag and then walking out into the open holding it meekly.  The enemy can do with him as they please - be it to end his life or to have mercy on him.

Giving up is allowing yourself to be overtaken, subdued, conquered.  Sometimes, I feel as in life I have given over a lot of things to God but given up relatively few.  I have "given over" my music habits, t.v. habits, reading habits, etc.  But how often have I given them up?  What sacrifices have I made?  When I became a Christian did I simply choose to live a different life or to truly end my previous one and start a new one?  If the second option is correct, shouldn't my new choices involve quite a bit more of "giving up" rather than "giving over"?

I'm not sure.  There's a difference but a subtle one.  While I don't want to make too much of a minor point I simply wonder if it is minor.  Jesus gave Himself "over" for me but more importantly He gave Himself "up" for me.

I guess I just want to make sure that I do the same.

Joshua

Man it's cold outside!

Josh and Mike did a great job of describing the indescribable salvation that we as Christ’s followers share.

While reflecting on our mission for the week I could not help but think back to the bitter cold morning standing by the frozen lake (luckily it was Wed and not this morning!). I first thought Mike was nuts for dragging us out of our warm and safe confines into the cold and snow just for a point to a story – but that was the point to the story for me. My life and my walk with God is a comfy, safe and warm one – or that is what it seems I strive for. I do not have to stand on a frozen lake and die because I love Jesus; but do I take risks for the kingdom that may upset the balance of my so-called safe and cozy life?

To tie this into our mission – to basically retell our Christian experience from before Christ to our present walk – my first thoughts were “I don’t have a great conversion story” and “My story is boring compared to some I’ve heard.” This thinking however is incorrect. What Jesus did on the cross for me is far from boring and is in fact the greatest story ever told. I may not share the same extreme story as the 40 Roman soldiers but I do share the same God and the same salvation that made their strength possible. Now, what do I do with this strength? Do I continue to try and keep my life, or will I lose my life and therefore preserve it? (Luke 17:33)

To go along with the recruitment theme I leave you with the words of Paul: “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

Gary Gogis

Welcome

Welcome to the Faithful Men's Ministry blog website. Check back often to read posts by Table Leaders regarding the lessons and their own reflections on the book of Ephesians.

I echo Paul sentiments and desire that you will "attain to the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God" and to become a "mature man, to the measure of the fullness of Christ." (Eph 4:13)

Accept the mission. Pursue maturity. We are in this together.

Your brother in Him,

Joshua