Jesus…said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor…and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." —Mark 10:21
“The rich young ruler had the controlling passion to be perfect. When he saw Jesus Christ, he wanted to be like Him. Our Lord never places anyone’s personal holiness above everything else when He calls a disciple. Jesus’ primary consideration is my absolute annihilation of my right to myself and my identification with Him, which means having a relationship with Him in which there are no other relationships. Luke 14:26 has nothing to do with salvation or sanctification but deals solely with unconditional identification with Jesus Christ. Very few of us truly know what is meant by the absolute “go” of unconditional identification with, and abandonment and surrender to, Jesus. “One thing you lack….” From Jesus Christ’s perspective, oneness with Him, with nothing between, is the only good thing. “…sell whatever you have….” I must humble myself until I am merely a living person. I must essentially renounce possessions of all kinds, not for salvation (for only one thing saves a person and that is absolute reliance in faith upon Jesus Christ), but to follow Jesus.” - My Utmost For His Highest
Have you made room for God in your heart? If your heart was a house, have you given God a room in which to abide, albeit a nice room, or have you given him the whole house. Truth be told, each of us has at least a room or two that we have reserved for ourselves. Like the little girl that put a “no boys allowed” sign on her bedroom door. We put a “God not allowed” on some doors. Rooms that hold things that we love and do not want to give up. Perhaps the right to do what we think is right. Or perhaps some behaviors that are clearly contrary to our new nature, but to which we are emotionally dependent upon and find comfort in. Emotionally and relationally unhealthy things. Things that usurp the sovereignty of God, that occupy places that belong to God. Like the rich young ruler who loved his wealth and possessions, there are things in our lives that prevent us from experiencing the joy, peace and assurance that comes from total surrender to God.
We were talking to a family member some time ago. They are struggling with an issue, one that was rooted in poor choices they made and we now under the strain from the consequences of those choices. When Martie encouraged them to read the Psalms to find comfort, you could hear a change in the tone of voice. There was a distance that had not been there earlier. It was clear that they were not interested in a spiritual solution. They wanted relief from the consequences.
They quickly diverted the subject from themselves to other people. Like the woman at the well trying to divert her conversation with Jesus because He was getting too close to the “thing” she was clinging to. It broke my heart to see them turn away from God in the conversation. There are doors to rooms that we don’t want to give God entrance to. Jesus said, “pick up your cross”, “give up everything that competes with your devotion to God”. The Psalmist wrote “Trust God with your all” Paul said, “offer yourself as a living sacrifice.” I say, “Let the doors in your heart swing wide.” The young man did not lack good deeds, he lacked faith in God and devotion to God. Don’t make the same mistake.
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
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