Fully Relying On God is something that one can only perceive through action and not define through a word. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying: “Watch your thoughts, they become your words. Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” Good words, very true, and it’s all tied together, but I want to hone in on some specifics that lead to a life of peace and joy.
A man who was a good person and lived very comfortably, more than most probably, asked Jesus what was required to enter eternal life. Jesus quoted for him some of the laws of the Old Testament – don’t kill, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, and honor your father and mother. (Mark 10:17-27)
The man replied he was dang near perfect in these his whole life.
Jesus replied, you lack one thing. He didn’t tell him what he lacked, only told him a way to remedy it – ‘Go and sell all your possessions and give to the poor.’ This is interesting and we have to read into this a little bit more, but I think it tells us a great deal about living a life that is fully relying on God.
You lack something, so give everything away? Hmmmm.
The 6 commandments that Jesus references are the last 60% of the 10 commandments and all deal with interactions with people and earthly elements. The first 4 commandments are about one’s relationship with God, which Jesus doesn’t bring up. Jesus was using the very place of this guy’s heart to generate a different perspective.
So, what do we need to know then? Jesus is pretty much saying, being a good person isn’t good enough.
A relationship with God matters and life spent trusting in God, things of eternity, and pursuit of the spiritual instead of the earthly, temporal, and flesh is where the gap is. But that’s not how Jesus lays it out.
All the things in this man’s world represent things in his control, personal security, and social status and graces. They are things we relate to, connect with, search for, and find value in. It’s in spite of all that we hear Jesus say he still lacks, we’ll still lack. Being of eternal consequence it is most certainly worth exploring.
Jesus wants this man to realize that where he has been putting all his eggs for spiritual wholeness was a basket with a large hole, and a snake waiting to gobble em up!!! The man wasn’t ready to put his faith into God alone and walked away sad after hearing Jesus’ instructions to sell all he had and give to the poor. He couldn’t hear that the earthly plan was not enough.
Today’s story has often brought people anxiety that they have to become homeless to follow Jesus. Let me make sure to be clear. Jesus is bringing us to place of genuine trust, deep peace, and infinite hope, and not of excessive poverty. If we can understand that trusting in God more than stuff, people, and money, we will find eternal life!
Jesus said this elsewhere and it reinforces this story. “No one can serve two masters, he will hate the one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matt 6:24)
So, where’s your trust? What do you lack? This may be your ticket to eternal life!
#RichIsBroke
#EarthWillPassAway
#SpinningTowardDestruction
#RestoringWholenessOfLife
Brett
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