Mon, 21 Jan 2013
SESSION 4
There is a balance with our love for money and our priority of spirituality. Money has a way of always giving us the easy way out. This cannot be our mentality if we are to win the crown of eternal life. If we consider Heaven our goal we must put on the mindset of eternity. This is the basic pathway for all of Jesus disciples, and the course we must take to be saved. When you wrap your mind around eternity it gives a whole new perspective of reality today. This life is a marathon. It takes a constant course at a simple pace. The morality of consistent discipline and daily habits must be obtained to overcome the total obstacles within the entire race.
Many individuals get frustrated and upset because they feel as if they can’t finish the race. They are excited and eager to set a course, however they become “burned out” and dismay. They don’t realize that they are running as if they are racing a sprint. “Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing I must do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” “All these I have kept.” The young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come. Follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Mathew 19:16-22 NIV)
This man desired to be right with God but became extremely sad. This is a primary example of the mistake in his philosophy of becoming righteous. Why should he have to give up his earthly treasures? It is good that he was sad, but I suppose that he may even become angry and upset at both Jesus and God for telling him such a heavy portion of truth. There is a reason why Jesus said it is harder for a rich man to go to Heaven than for a camel to go through an eye of a needle. It was as if the man felt that he could buy a stairway to heaven.
How unfair it seems to him that he should have to pay such a high price for a pathway of salvation.
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