In this world of sin it is easy to get our values distorted. The things that appeal to our carnal natures seem worth striving for, but they are in fact like a mirage in the desert. Property, money, material possessions, or a large bank account seem to give us security, but it is all a bubble dream. We came into this world with nothing and it is certain we will go out with no material possessions. Jesus has promised us eternal life if only we believe on Him and determine to give our lives to Him. So many are bartering away eternity because they consider this world more important, their values are all mixed up. The rich young ruler who came to Jesus had this problem.
Matthew 19:16-22
Now behold, one came and said to Him, “GOOD TEACHER, WHAT GOOD THING SHALL I DO THAT I MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?”
So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall
not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honour your father and your mother,’
and, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ”
The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “IF YOU WANT TO BE PERFECT, GO, SELL WHAT YOU HAVE AND GIVE TO THE POOR, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow
Me.”
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, FOR HE HAD GREAT POSSESSIONS.
“He wanted the heavenly treasure, but he wanted also the temporal advantages his riches would bring him. He was sorry that such conditions existed; he desired eternal life, but he was not willing to make the sacrifice. The cost of eternal life seemed too great, and he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions”. Desire of Ages, page 520.
Too many are like the rich young ruler. They long for the privilege of everlasting life, but are unwilling to put Jesus first in this life. Not every person is required to give up all wealth, but this young man had made riches his god, and was in fact breaking the first and second commandments. Riches were his idol.
Luke 12:19, 20
“And I will say to my soul, “Soul, YOU HAVE MANY GOODS LAID UP for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, “FOOL! THIS NIGHT YOUR SOUL WILL BE REQUIRED OF YOU; THEN whose will those things be which you have provided?”
This man had made provision for the future and placed his security in temporal things. It is not wrong to provide for the future, in fact we should, but this man had placed his trust in riches, and excluded God from his reckoning. His wealth could not save him from death, but Jesus could have given him eternal life if only he had put God first.
Matthew 6:19, 20
DO NOT LAY UP FOR YOURSELF TREASURES ON EARTH, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; BUT LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
The treasures of this world are corruptible, but the treasure that Jesus offers is absolutely secure. We lay up heavenly treasure by putting our trust in Jesus and living for Him.
Mark 8:36
FOR WHAT WILL IT PROFIT A MAN IF HE GAINS THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSES HIS OWN SOUL?
Here Jesus compares the two ways of life. Even to own the whole world cannot save us for eternity. If a man loses everlasting life, he has lost everything. His life in this world will terminate all too soon. Of what value is his treasure then?
Philippians 2:5-8
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, BUT MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION, TAKING THE FORM OF A BONDSERVANT, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. How far was Jesus willing to go for us? He condescended from being equal with God, to become a man, so that He might die for us. He was prepared to die for us so that His shed blood might cover our sins. In return He asks us to live for Him, for our own eternal good, for unless we accept Him we are lost. Jesus has His values crystal clear, and He was prepared to pay the price of His life so that you might have eternal life.
Matthew 5:6
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR
RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED.
The way of righteousness should be the all-consuming desire of our lives. There is nothing more important for us to pursue. If we constantly seek after truth, we shall receive it.
Jeremiah 29:13
AND YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME, WHEN YOU SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.
There is no doubt. Eternal things have top priority. There are many things in this life we must do that are not spiritual – our work, household chores etc., and these we should do to the best of our ability. The way we go about our mundane tasks can be a good Christian witness to the community. It is only as these things crowd out spiritual things, and become all absorbing to the exclusion of the spiritual, that they are wrong. As long as the spiritual is top of the list, we have nothing to fear.
Matthew 13:44-46
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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking
Jesus was willing to give all for us – even His life.
Beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one PEARL OF GREAT PRICE, WENT AND OLD ALL THAT HE HAD AND BOUGHT IT.
In these two parables, how much were these men prepared to sacrifice in order to buy the field containing the treasure, and the pearl of great price? They sold ALL. That is how much God wants of our lives, for our own good that we might not perish, but have everlasting life. In these parables the field represents the Scriptures, the treasure is the gospel, and the pearl of great price is Jesus Christ.
Matthew 10:37-39
HE WHO LOVES FATHER OR MOTHER MORE THAN ME IS NOT WORTHY OF ME. And he who loves SON or DAUGHTER more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
When one member of the family accepts the truth of the Bible and the others do not, immediately there is friction. The first thought is to forget it, and continue on as before, but the conscience will not allow it. Some feel that peace is better, but correct reasoning demands that upholding Jesus and His truth is more important. Jesus knew this problem would arise, for He said, “I did not come to bring peace but a sword”.
See Matthew 10:34-39.
Accepting the gospel will make one love his relatives and fellow man more. His desire will be to see them accept Jesus and His truth. It is not likely that this will happen if he lets down on his standards. By remaining firm in the midst of opposition, he will attract others by his faithfulness and Christian love. However, let him always be tactful, loving and Christlike; a soul is never won by argument – calm reasoning, yes; but not argument.
John 12:42, 43
Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but BECAUSE OF THE PHARISEES THEY DID NOT CONFESS HIM, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. It is always a tragedy when one does not stand for his convictions because of what others may think. This person needs to pray for the courage not to be ashamed of Jesus. People did not stand up for Jesus in his time because of what religious leaders might say or think. Unfortunately it is often the same today. People are afraid of what relatives, friends or even religious leaders might think of them if they stand up for the truth. Again, Jesus and His truth must take first place.
Revelation 21:8
But the COWARDLY, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars SHALL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE WHICH BURNS WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE, which is the second death. Here is a list of types of people who will not enter the glory land. The first are the “fearful” or cowardly. These are the ones who give up in time of trial. They are not unbelievers, but they do not act on their belief. They could have had eternal life, but they feared the ridicule of friends and others. They are not disreputable sinners; they are not criminals, murderers, adulterers or drunkards. They are simply fearful, knowing what is right, but afraid to act, and as a result have lost the kingdom. It takes courage to obey God. It costs something to be on the side of truth, but what a terrible price must be paid by the fearful. They are found outside the city of God, with the vilest of sinners. Nicodemus came at night to talk to Jesus but did not accept him openly for some time.
1 Peter 3:17
“FOR IT IS BETTER, IF IT IS THE WILL OF GOD, TO SUFFER FOR DOING GOOD THAN FOR DOING EVIL.”
God has not promised to take away all trials and suffering, but He will give the strength to bear them. One day all of the trials and troubles will be over and the faithful will receive their reward.
1 John 1:7
BUT IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT as He is in the light, we have FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER, and THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN. When we walk in the light of truth we enjoy fellowship with other believers. We also rejoice that the blood of Jesus has cleansed us from sin.
Matthew 19:27-29
Then Peter answered and said to Him, “SEE, WE HAVE LEFT ALL AND FOLLOWED YOU. Therefore what shall we have?” So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. AND EVERYONE WHO HAS LEFT HOUSES OR BROTHERS OR SISTERS OR FATHER
OR MOTHER OR WIFE OR CHILDREN OR LANDS, FOR MY NAME’S SAKE, SHALL RECEIVE A HUNDREDFOLD, AND INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE.”
All is not lost when we accept Jesus and His truth; rather, we gain in the most important things. Peace of mind, happiness and eternal security, are but a few of the blessings of the Christian. We receive “a hundredfold” in this life, and eternal life as well. These are the blessings of forsaking all to follow Jesus. The genuine Christian is never sorry for his decision, but rejoices always in the Lord. Trials will come to develop character, but God will see him through. God cannot accept a half-hearted surrender. Jesus said that it is impossible to serve two masters. Paul became a great Christian because he followed Jesus all the way. The true Christian will be willing to do anything God indicates. Dear Friend, can you say the following words and mean them? If you can, eternal life is yours!
All to Jesus I surrender, All to him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all, all to thee my Blessed Saviour, I surrender all.
