Michael continues: To accept Jesus as Lord means to forsake self-serving pride. This was the root of the problem with the rich young ruler who approached Jesus and said, “Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life.” Jesus knew what was in the heart of man so he replied, “Why do you call me good? There is none good (in the flesh). Only God himself is good.” Jesus continued, “You know the law: Do not commit murder, do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not bear false witness, honor your father and your mother... in other words, love your neighbor as yourself.” The young ruler said filled with pride, “These things I have done since my youth.” Then Jesus said, “One thing you lack. Sell all your goods and give the proceeds to the poor. Then come and follow me.” The young man went away sorrowful, for he had great material wealth. The rich young ruler may have kept part of the Ten Commandments, but he did not honor the first of the ten commandments ... Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. The gods he worshipped were his material possessions and his own self-serving pride. According to the Aramaic text, this verse says, “Thou shalt have no other gods between your face and my face.” He had the wrong gods that came between him and the one true God. The first and great commandment is to love God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength. When we do the first commandment, the other nine.... will fall in line. Why? Because the love of God covers a multitude of sins.
The problem with the Christian church is “casual Christians.” A casual Christian follows Christ only when it’s convenient, easy, and without heartache, trials and tribulations. Casual Christians are casualties in the spiritual battle. Jesus said you have to count the cost of following me. The last of the beatitudes says, blessed are they when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven.
There is a difference between Jesus of your imagination and Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus of your imagination is a broad way that leads to destruction. Jesus of Nazareth is the narrow way through the narrow gate that leads to eternal life. Jesus of the imagination says there is no cost to follow me. Jesus of Nazareth says count the cost, take up your cross daily and follow me. The imaginary Jesus of the world says you can come on your own terms. Jesus of Nazareth says, come on God’s terms. His terms are unilateral and non-negotiable according to the Word of God. The false Jesus of the imagination says obey when it’s convenient. Jesus of Nazareth says obey no matter what. Jesus of this fallen world says, make decisions based on fear. Jesus of Nazareth says, make decisions based on faith, for God never honors fear but he always honors faith. The fake Jesus of our imagination says, look out for number one and you’re number one. Jesus of Nazareth says look to the things of God for you are my bond servant, bound by the bond of love. You are servants of whom you obey, whether sin unto death or the Spirit of God unto eternal life.
Let's continue Michael's message on being the Salt of the World in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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