The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Thursday
January 3, 2008
Someone came to Jesus with this question: "Teacher, what good things must I
do to have eternal life?"
"Why ask me about what is
good?" Jesus replied. "Only God is good. But to
answer your question, you can receive eternal life if you keep the
commandments."
"Which ones?" the man asked.
And Jesus replied:
"'Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do
not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.
Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
"I've obeyed all these
commandments," the young man replied. "What else must I do?"
Jesus told him,
"If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and
give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come,
follow me." But when the young man heard this, he went sadly away because
he had many possessions.
Matthew 19:16-22
This story is titled, The Rich Young Ruler. Jesus said, "...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!" v.24) Why? Because most of the time rich people are controlled by their money; added to this, the immaturity of his faith had him trusting in what he could do to be saved, and maybe the ruler part of him wanted to be in control. In my heart I believe that if this young man had been willing to be obedient Jesus would have changed the command. Yet, from the beginning Jesus knew the young man's heart.
The call of God asks that we lay aside anything that stands in our way of being sold out to Him 100%. I know wealthy people who do not get their identify from their money, but solely from God. They acknowledge that it is God who has blessed them with their good fortune and they consistently give to the cause of Christ. These people recognize that everything we were, everything we are, and everything we will be is to be dedicated solely to the Kingdom of God.
For three days Oswald Chambers' writings have been focused on our being one with Christ, and allowing His life to be expressed through us. In order to do this, we lay aside anything that gets in the way — from attitudes to riches. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your affections. For they influence everything else in your life."
God Calling for December 4 said, "Fame and acclamations are accorded to earth's great, contempt and rejection to the Son of God. One of the things My disciples must ever seek to do, is to set aside the valuation of the world, and judge only according to the values of Heaven. Do not seek the praise and the notice of men. . .Feel My Hand of Love press yours in silent but complete understanding. I, too, was acquainted with grief. No heart can ache without My heart aching too." One with Christ, sharing His joy is sharing His suffering. Hold out your hand in hope today.
