“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV
My reading this morning reminded me of a conversation I had yesterday with one of my 92-year-old clients. We were discussing the sin of fear and worry, as she worries a great deal. She made the statement, "I'm not perfect, but I am a good person!"
The following scripture came to mind:
“And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”
Mark 10:18 KJV
Here Jesus is saying that only God is good!
Matthew also relates the story.
“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Matthew 19:16 KJV
Notice the young man wants to do good for the reward of eternity.
“And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17 KJV
Jesus tells him, but yet again the young man wants to make sure he's got it right. He believes himself to be good but is checking to see if he has dotted all his "i"s and crossed all of his "t"s.
“He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” Matthew 19:18-20 KJV
“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” Matthew 19:21-22 KJV
At this point the young man considered the cost and was unwilling to surrender. He was happy to be "good", but unwilling to be perfect. He wanted eternity but also wanted the world. In other words he loved the world more than God!
You can keep the commandments without loving God, but can't love God without keeping His commandments!
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”
Romans 7:18 KJV
If we were able to "do" good to gain eternity we would not need Jesus. We can't. But it's Him working in us, perfecting us when we empty ourselves of self. It's His work, not ours. (Philippians 1:6) He gets the glory!
What our part is - is surrender; our will for His will. Loving Him more than this world - our life. Desiring His pleasure more than ours. It's not about us; it's ALL about Him!
It's giving up our rights.
I can also tell you what it's not!
It's not asking Jesus into your heart and then going about your business unchanged. Your church may have told you, you were saved, but if you did not make Him LORD, and turn from your wicked ways (doing whatever you want to do) you are going to hell - plain and simple. You cannot love the world more than God and go to heaven.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:13-15
Will you, today, give up your right to be right?
Will you surrender your will for Him to use you as He wishes for His Kingdom?
Will you repent?
Time is short - Salvation is not a decision it's an act of submission; and it's not for a lifetime; it’s for eternity.
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 7/19/17
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