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 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 choice 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
