Lessons of the rich young ruler
“Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?””
Matthew 19:16
Until this point in his life, the young ruler had followed the letter of the law. He was, in a worldly sense, a “good person”, doing all that was required of him by the religious leaders of the time. He was not lacking in obedience to the law, but elsewhere. He mistakenly believed that there was some way he could earn salvation through works, some good deed or act that he was still failing to perform that would ensure his salvation. Jesus, knowing the man’s heart was tied to the world despite his outward display of righteousness, led him to see this truth. The decision was his to make, he was offered eternal life and refused it because he loved the world more than he loved God.
Jesus knows your heart, He knows where you lack and He loves you enough to expose it. The young ruler saw the cost of eternity and walked away, like so many others have done since that time. He was unwilling to sacrifice everything for the kingdom of God. Is your heart still clinging to the world? Is there something you refuse to give up? Though our outward display may seem righteous, only God knows where our heart truly is, and only those who are willing to forsake all will find themselves entering through the narrow gate.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and SELLS ALL THAT HE HAS and buys that field.”
Matthew 13:44
#CalledtoBattle
