Running On Empty

"And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”  And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." - Matthew 19:16-22

I have written about this young man a number of times. Perhaps because I think his thinking and doing is representative of a lot of well-meaning religious people. He was apparently kind hearted. He did what was right in the eyes of men. Commendable things. Things that would make any parent proud! But then he met Jesus. Someone who knew that doing good things was not the same as being good. That God, the Father, is the true source of "good". Being in right relationship with the Creator God is the right place to be. From that place - good acts take on a different, eternal hew. The young man was working his way to heaven - or so he thought. He had it all figured out. If his life impressed other people, would it not impress God? The short answer - "No!"

Then Jesus told him that even after doing all of those "good" things, he had fallen short. I think the young man thought that if anyone deserved a place in heaven, it was him. But, his money - his position in the world was his god and the basis from which he lived. Jesus said, "Give up that god and follow Me, the Son of the one true God." But the young man could not - would not. The story in the Bible ends there.  We don't know what eventually became of that man. Was he convicted by Jesus words? Did he yield his heart by faith?  I would like to think that he considered Jesus' words and chose faith in God in stead of faith in himself. 

The apostle James wrote that faith without works is dead. The reciprocal of that truth is that works without faith is futile.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:8-10

Many people do good things in their life, but they are running on empty. No faith in their tank. Only lives fueled by a saving faith will have their proper result. We love others because we love God first. So how are you doing with that? What are you depending upon to make yourself right before a holy God?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone