Paradox

In order to gain everything you must first disown everything.

Mark 8:35
... because whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

There's alot packed into that statement. It ties right into this:

James 4:4
... So whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God. ... Therefore whoeverwishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God

If we want to be friends with the Creator, disown the world. Why? So we can gain everything. We worship the Creator for good reason. We gain everything, but we don't go about it the way the world does.

Colossians 1 :15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

When we are "in Christ" we gain all things. Those who chase after the world and what it has to offer are basically faithless. They don't really believe that they gain all things by seeking Jesus first, so they chase the world and what it has to offer instead. There's a reason why the Word says being friends with the world makes a person an enemy of God, because faith is everything, faithlessness has a price.

These are important things, especially as this world approaches the tribulation hour. Time is short. Over the last year or two when I asked the Lord how much time was left, He asked me a question as a response: how many 'normal days' do I think are left? Answer: NOT MANY. In fact, there's almost nothing normal about the world we live in today. Everything is in the process of decay and upheaval. Things are turning upside down. What is good is called evil, and what is evil is called good. The world is ready for its leader to show up, the prince of the power of the air. Keep the faith, ask Jesus for the cross that you may die to the world, but live unto Him. Our King waits to receive us with his reward in his hand for those who are found faithful and obedient at his coming. Do not be deceived, a 'decision' made 10 years ago isn't enough to get you into heaven today. No faith, no obedience= no heaven. It takes faith and obedience to "remain in him." Look "remain in me" up in your bibles. Remaining "in Christ" is the key to our salvation. Time is short, keep the faith. Grace and peace