…also known as the biggest obstacles to my faith.
After I had kids I soon realized that the only time I really had to myself was when they were sleeping. Since I start to resemble the bad gremlins after about 9:30 p.m., I’ve learned that my only alone time is in the early morning.
Several years ago I used almost all of that alone time to exercise. I love to run, swim, lift, and run. But somewhere along the way, the Lord convicted me about getting up and doing my bible study first and then exercising after.
Let me just say…it hasn’t been easy. Some days I jump out of bed anxious to be in the presence of the Lord and other days I really miss the physical benefits of a two and a half or three-hour a day work out (as opposed to a forty-five minute or an hour daily workout…if that). Even though I am truly thankful for the truths that the Lord reveals in the early hours of my day, I still struggle with what this daily discipline requires. Let’s face it, you just can’t eat the same way when you shave 7-10 hours of physical activity off of your weekly workout plan and expect not to gain weight. If the Lord is trying to teach me self-control, I’m failing miserably in the food department at present…and so begins a new conviction and challenge, right? Ugh…
It’s often the things we love most in this world that compete most fiercely against the work of Christ in our lives. Let’s see how Jesus addresses this very issue in Mark 10:17-22:
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. ~Mark 10:17-22
Let’s take a look at the man known as “the rich young ruler.” These are the things he did do right:
He ran (Mark 10:17). This man had quite an urgency in regards to Christ and finding out what was required of him.
He knelt (Mark 10:17). He was neither afraid nor ashamed (like Nicodemus who had come to Jesus at night) to humble himself before Christ. He appeared to be quite humble for a young man who was himself a ruler with great wealth.
He inquired of Jesus (Mark 10:17) . He was not willing to rely on the teachings or instructions of others in regards to his eternal salvation. He goes directly to Christ and honestly seeks the answers to his spiritual questions.
Outwardly, he was a morally pure man (Mark 10:20). As far as outward appearances go, this man was squeaky clean. He did not participate in ungodly behavior or blatantly break the Lord’s commands.
Doubtless this man exceeded the boldness and good behavior of most people. If he lived today, people would probably consider him a great example of what an exceptional young man should act like. Likely, many would praise him continually for his outward obedience to the rules and regulations of God’s commands at such a young age. So why didn’t he meet the criteria to be a follower of Christ?
This man was disqualified by what he did not do, not by all the good things he did do. Though his good-works list is quite impressive and lengthy compared to most, because this man trusts in works righteousness (not God’s righteousness), Jesus points at what he does not do. Because he loves this man, Jesus exposes his unwillingness and shows him exactly what it is that’s keeping him outside the kingdom of God.
These are the things he did not do right:
He did not recognize his own sin (Mark 10:18-20). This man truly believes that he is righteous because of all the good things he does. He does not realize that only God is righteous and that all men are helplessly bound in sin from birth, unable to free themselves until Christ freely forgives them. He believes that salvation is something he can earn by keeping all the rules and doing good deeds. “Note, ignorance of the extent and spiritual nature of the divine law, makes people think themselves in a better condition than they really are.” (Matthew Henry)
He did not want to sacrifice his favorite things. Despite all of his good deeds and, doubtless, his willingness to give his tithes and likely even generous offerings, this man is simply not willing to forsake all for the cause of Christ. He loves his material wealth and the comfort he finds therein more than he loves God and trusts in the providence God offers. In a nutshell, his favorite things cost him his soul.
It’s not the good things we do that affect our eternal destiny. Good works are a natural outflow of a heart changed by Christ, but they do not save or justify us in any way in the sight of God. On the contrary, just like this exceptional young man, it’s often that one area of our lives that we’re unwilling to surrender completely that disqualifies us for right standing with God. Even though we may never have to give up all that we own, if we are not wholly willing to surrender it all (especially favorite earthly things), we most certainly are not willing to follow Jesus Christ.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? ~James 4:3-5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqlaXfoa7zY&feature=related
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