When Christ Is All You Need
John Chrysostom was a preacher in the early church. Because of his witnessing for Christ, he was taken before the emperor, who informed him that he would be put in prison for his faith. Chrysostom answered that the Lord would go with him to prison.
Then the emperor threatened to take away all his possessions. Chrysostom was not bothered by this; he simply answered, “There is no way for you to take away all that I possess. My treasures are in heaven, and you cannot reach that far.”
Finally, the emperor said in consternation,”Tell, I will banish you to the remotest corner of the kingdom.” Calmly Chrysostom informed the emperor that the remotest spot in the world was part of his Savior’s kingdom and that his Lord would be there too.
God wants us to be people who are free from the necessity of certain places, people, and things so we may be unencumbered. Then he can trust us with more significant assignments. When we do not need anything but him, we truly become available for service. The gifts of God are merely blessings to be enjoyed; we must have one necessary attachment, and that is to our Lord Jesus.
—Dennis Kinlaw,
This Day with the Master
Today’s reading reminds us what true freedom looks like: a life so rooted in Christ that no threat can shake it. Prison couldn’t frighten him, because he knew Christ would be there. Loss of possessions didn’t faze him, because his true treasure was out of reach of earthly hands. Even banishment had no sting, for every corner of creation belongs to his King. When Jesus becomes our only necessary attachment, we find the kind of freedom that makes us unshakable in a world full of threats.
For those walking through addiction, grief, or deep loss, this is not just inspiring—it’s an invitation. Let God begin to loosen your grip on the things that have held you hostage. Healing begins when we realize that the one thing we cannot lose is also the one thing we most need. Jesus goes with us to the darkest places and transforms exile into sacred ground. When He is enough, we are finally free. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics