| Consequences Of Sin And Forgiveness: Lesson 14: Our Refusal 1/12/2014 by turtle Mark 10:17-27 KJV (17) And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? (18) And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. (19) Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. (20) And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. (21) Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (22) And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. (23) And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! (24) And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! (25) It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (26) And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? (27) And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. The refusing of obedience to God is something we all do from time to time. It is our willingness to finally submit to the will of God that is important. God does not turn away those who finally choose to obey. In truth most of us are stubborn to the ways of God. Our refusal to obey can be compared to a camel going through the eye of a needle. Here a camel has a loaded pack, kneels down and crawls through the entrance of the city which is a small gateway not hardly big enough for a camel to fit through. These gates were designed to keep the enemy out. In order to get into the city the animal or beast of burden would have to get down and crawl through if it was two tall for the opening. Mules would go through fairly easily, yet were ever so stubborn about obedience. The camel however was obedient to his master, because when he kneeled he would crawl through, without much struggle. If a mule decides not to go forward, you might as well give up, he is not budging. Dangling the carrot before his nose might help. Here is what is often missed is this person who comes running to Jesus kneels before him. A form of reverence or honor to Jesus. Yet when he ask what must he do to enter the kingdom of heaven Jesus tells him about the ten commandments. The man says I done all these things since my youth. Jesus says then sell all you have and follow me. Jesus spoke what this man must do to enter into heaven. He already had faith, he already showed submission to Jesus, yet what he failed at when Jesus gave him a personal command, he refused to do it. Jesus calls his disciples they dropped their nets, leaving all behind and followed Jesus. The five verse of Exodus 20 where the ten commandments are found deals with honoring and loving God. So we know the man was submission to God, but not to the point of following the Messiah despite the cost. This man walks away because he had great possessions. He was not willing to pay the price to follow Jesus. Abraham was allowed to take from his home to follow God. Moses and the Israelites in the desert left with a provision out of the land of Egypt. Jonah was willing to follow, until Nineveh, and yet he got rerouted in the right direction by God and he had a huge fish story to tell. And so it is with living for God, we sometimes have to give up something to follow, and it often those things we depend on to save us in a situation, that takes our reliance off of God and puts it on ourselves. To follow God is to rely fully on his ability to provide. It is often time hard to rely on him knowing that Jeremiah stood in a sewer, Ezekiel laid on one side for many days and burned his own feces, Stephen was murdered for faith, Paul beaten and stoned, and other Christians because of belief were feed to the lions. Now that you know the cost of faith what are you going to do and what are you going to hope for. Your going to hope that your not living in a time of believer persecution do to the sin of the nation you live in. When God allows the heathen and the devils to rule, then expect to be persecuted for one faith. However the devils and heathens are only going to be allowed to rule for a short time. God’s word will rise again. God’s Son did rise to take away the sins of the world and to bring back life eternal for all that would believe and repent. Dear Heavenly Father as I choose to follow your leading by your Spirit no matter the earthly outcome, I ask that you remind me continually of your will. In Jesus precious name, Amen. http://www.turtle30cshell.com _ |
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