The concept of being able to do something to obtain our desire is attractive to us. People are willing to make sacrifices, beg, borrow, or steal to achieve their goals. This is true regarding the attempts of people to gain favour in the eyes of men or God. A lot of what passes for piety or devotion is not motivated by love for God or faith in Him but what we hope to gain for ourselves. It is sobering how much selfishness can move us to sacrifice much.
Jesus was approached by a rich young ruler who wanted to inherit eternal life. Mark 10:17-19 says, "Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" 18 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' " Jesus answered the man's question of how to inherit eternal life by asking a question of His own. Psalm 14 and 53 said there is none who does good, not one. Jesus pointed out He could only be truly good if He was God, and the man he addressed was a self-righteous one. Because it seems the man did not consider Jesus God, so He pointed to the Law of Moses.
Mark 10:20-22 reads, "And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth." 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." The man was willing to drop the "good" from his address to Jesus - indicating lack of faith in Him as God. He said, "I have done all those things." Jesus didn't argue with the man, and the fact he was asking Jesus this question showed he lacked assurance of salvation, for righteousness cannot come through the Law.
God spoke to Abraham and told Him to leave his homeland and family and go where God told him. Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness. Abraham believed God and his faith was demonstrated by obedience. Jesus commanded the man to do something beyond the rigorous demands of Mosaic Law. This rich young ruler was unwilling to do the one thing Jesus told him because he did not believe in Him. Because he was rich, it seemed he had much to lose. He did not believe, and therefore did not obey. Perhaps he was unwilling because he could not see how giving his stuff could generate eternal wealth. The invitation Jesus gave to follow was too great a sacrifice because he did not believe Jesus could deliver.
What a hindrance unbelief is to the abundant and eternal life God invites us to enter into by faith! Praise the LORD He is faithful, for Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. IF Jesus is a good teacher, than He is God and worthy of our faith. And if we believe Him we should obey Him, even if His answer means it will cost us.
Jesus was approached by a rich young ruler who wanted to inherit eternal life. Mark 10:17-19 says, "Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" 18 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' " Jesus answered the man's question of how to inherit eternal life by asking a question of His own. Psalm 14 and 53 said there is none who does good, not one. Jesus pointed out He could only be truly good if He was God, and the man he addressed was a self-righteous one. Because it seems the man did not consider Jesus God, so He pointed to the Law of Moses.
Mark 10:20-22 reads, "And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth." 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." The man was willing to drop the "good" from his address to Jesus - indicating lack of faith in Him as God. He said, "I have done all those things." Jesus didn't argue with the man, and the fact he was asking Jesus this question showed he lacked assurance of salvation, for righteousness cannot come through the Law.
God spoke to Abraham and told Him to leave his homeland and family and go where God told him. Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness. Abraham believed God and his faith was demonstrated by obedience. Jesus commanded the man to do something beyond the rigorous demands of Mosaic Law. This rich young ruler was unwilling to do the one thing Jesus told him because he did not believe in Him. Because he was rich, it seemed he had much to lose. He did not believe, and therefore did not obey. Perhaps he was unwilling because he could not see how giving his stuff could generate eternal wealth. The invitation Jesus gave to follow was too great a sacrifice because he did not believe Jesus could deliver.
What a hindrance unbelief is to the abundant and eternal life God invites us to enter into by faith! Praise the LORD He is faithful, for Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. IF Jesus is a good teacher, than He is God and worthy of our faith. And if we believe Him we should obey Him, even if His answer means it will cost us.
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