Indy Christian .com -- Daily Internet Starting-line

What lack I yet?

by Pastor Jim Brown
Horizon Christian Fellowship
(www.calvarychapel.com/hcfw)


Jesus details the difficulty of the rich entering into the kingdom of Heaven in Matthew chapter 19. The rich have another problem as well...that which follows the parable of the sown seed – remember some seed falls on the path, some on the rocky ground, some gets choked out by weeds and some grows and bears fruit.

The same issue that keeps the rich out of heaven chokes whatever fruit they might bear if they do become saved...they won’t let go of what they have and what they want! Have you ever heard someone say “I just need to put more away in the bank so I can retire early”, or “I just need to make my first million”, or “I...”? The same goes for the drug user/junkie who is homeless on the street: “I just need to break this” or “I need to clean up my act” or “I...”.

The real problem is that rich and poor, all who think “THEY” have to do the work in their life have an “I” problem. Our salvation is not about us but rather what God has done for us...and He puts no “works” requirement on either salvation or maintaining our position in His grace BUT...He does call us to forsake all other gods. Herein lies the problem: when we have an “I” problem we have not forsaken other gods, we are worshipping the god of self and of self-righteousness always having a justification for not obeying God and NEVER drawing closer. We always think we have to be the one to do the work rather than ceasing from our own works and allowing God to work His plan in our lives and through us for His kingdom.

The parable of the rich young ruler is simply a demonstration to all of us that we can not and should not hold onto anything of the temporal – rather our focus must be on the eternal and the treasures that can be stored there and the fact that we are not our own – we were bought with the ultimate price of the blood of God’s Son: Jesus Christ. That price, paid through pain and suffering and humiliation is the ultimate price and as we see the motivation behind it – as we see how much God loves us – we will leave ALL OTHER gods BEHIND and follow our Savior.

Pray with me that we see the shallowness of seeking first our kingdom rather than God’s eternal kingdom and purpose for our lives...
=======================
Matthew 19:16-26 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
=======================

Email me at pj-brown@sbcglobal.net

posted by Pastor Jim @ 9:00 AM