Through the Bible - Psalms 96-98, Romans 13
Good morning,
This past Sunday in our high school Sunday school class we looked at the account of the rich young ruler. He approached Jesus and asked him "what good thing should I do that I may have eternal life". As we will see later in the passage, he feels that he has kept the law, obeyed the rules to the letter.
Jesus reveals to him that there is only One who is truly good and that is God, teaching him that all but God are sinners. Jesus follows with six of the Ten Commandments, 5 of which have to do with our relationship to others - you shall not murder, steal, commit adultery,lie, or bear false witness.
Is there anyone of us that feels that we have obeyed these to the "letter"? Especially if you consider where Jesus said elsewhere that if you've even thought some of these things you have sinned already?
The young ruler spoke to him, either thinking that he had kept all of these or not willing to admit his own sin and guilt.
For today's verse we'll go to verse 21 for Jesus' response.
Matt 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. NKJV
MacArthur notes that Jesus was not putting forth the terms for salvation, but rather was exposing, revealing the man's true heart. His words and actions revealed that he was not blameless and if he truly loved the Lord with all his heart, he would surrender all to Christ at His request.
Jesus did not confront him with the first commandment "you shall have no other God's before me.
One of the songs that we sang in church in the service that followed was "The Stand" by Joel Houston. The words reminded me of what the reaction to Christ's call should be.
The Stand
What to say Lord? it's You who gave me life and I
Can't explain just how much You mean to me now
That You have saved me Lord, I give all that I am to You
That everyday I can be a light that shines Your name
Everyday Lord, I'll learn to stand upon Your Word
And I pray that I, that I might come to know You more
That You would guide me in every single step I take
That everyday I can be a light unto the world
Everyday, it's You I live for
Everyday, I'll follow after You
Everyday, I'll walk with You my Lord
It's You I live for, everyday
It's You I live for, everyday
It's You I live for, everyday
His Word does reveal the condition of our hearts, who or what rules in our heart. May we have hearts that surrender and not walk away from the Light.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Matt 19:16-27
Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler
(Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23)
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him,"Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"
17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."
18 He said to Him, "Which ones?"
Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 19 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?"
21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
With God All Things Are Possible
(Mark 10:23-31; Luke 18:24-30)
23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"
26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
NKJV
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