John 14:18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

I can attest from my testimony and rebirth, several eye opening things happened upon leaving everything for Jesus Christ. One of the first feelings I had was that I was now an orphan, abandoned by my family and some close friends I grew up with because of my faith but took solace in the promise that Jesus would not leave me and would be there right with me. That was almost 8 years ago now, and I can rightly declare Jesus held His promise!

Things MUST change for a new creation. Your old former life of which was getting you absolutely nowhere must be abandoned for good. It is a definite struggle for some and sadly some search the Scriptures to justify holding on to former sins and to go on as if nothing had changed. If your heart has been regenerated by God, conviction should also come. The fear of God does not allow one to dilly dally in their sanctification nor try to negotiate their sins, they repent of them.

So must we abandon family and friends of our former life? This is a judgment call based on the person, and would suggest only if they are drawing you away from holiness and into sin and attempting to lead you away from Christ on a consistent basis. Your innate sense is to share the Gospel with them, keep doing so! However, what really happens if you have been set apart by God? Is they abandon you, not the other way around.

Red lines must be drawn. You cannot partner with evil any longer nor make it seem as you are tolerant to sin if you are taking your DUTY to the King of kings seriously.

If your friends and family of your former life do not see a change in you, ask if yourself if you have really been saved and regenerated. Some will naturally leave and abandon you and your saving faith, it is much too convicting. Some will play the wait and see game, tempting you back into former things to see if this was just a phase, and when they realize it wasn’t a phase more than likely they will also abandon you.

As I mentioned, in my testimony I for one really do know what Jesus meant by “orphans”, as I am one. Hardly if anyone of my former life in truth supports my saving faith in Jesus Christ. But I am never lonely nor do I feel alone because He is with me constantly!  Take comfort in this, that Jesus will NEVER leave you alone. The Holy Spirit insures this, guarantees this fact.

So when you are feeling left out, down and out because you are now not included, center your thoughts on Jesus Christ who is right beside you! Do you need anyone else? And if you still struggle in this respect, revisit your former life and see how terrible that was working out for you with the end being an eternity away from Him!  He did not leave you, orphan!

Matthew 19:27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” ²⁸ So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹ And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. ³⁰ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.