July 5, 2024 -- Matthew 19:21 -- What messes up your walk with Jesus?

Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me.”
Matthew 19:21 ESV

It is easy to lift a verse out of context. It might be very tempting to read this verse and believe it is impossible to be rich and to believe in God. Then, of course, King David and King Hezekiah, kings of Israel who were noted for their faithfulness to God and their great wealth, would be excluded. No, that is not the issue.

The passage today has to do with the question of a rich young man. Though he was obedient to many of God’s laws, he thought he could impress Jesus with his obedience. What Jesus had commanded the rich young ruler, He Himself was doing. He’d left the splendours of heaven, the prerogatives of divinity and He poured out His life for the poor, the lost, and the sinner. He demonstrated complete obedience to the Father. No short cuts. The rich young man wanted a short cut. He wanted to know what one thing he could do so that he’d be perfect, right with God.

What is the obstacle between you and God? What is the possession, or the commitment, or the relationship or the substance you refuse to give up—the very thing that is hindering your walk with God? If you would be perfect—made perfect in Jesus Christ—you must deny yourself—give it up. And follow Jesus. That is the life-long pattern of the man, or the woman who would please God, denying worldly pleasures for the sake of Jesus, in Whom is all one's blessedness, joy, and life.

Almighty and Everlasting God, by whose grace thy servants are enabled to fight the good fight of faith and ever prove victorious; we humbly beseech thee so to inspire us, that we may yield our hearts to thine obedience and exercise our wills on thy behalf. Help us to think wisely, to speak rightly, to resolve bravely, to act kindly, to live purely. Guard us in body and in soul, and make us a blessing to our fellows. Whether at home or abroad may we ever seek the extension of thy kingdom. Let the assurance of thy presence save us from sinning. O Lord our God, accept this prayer for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
Prayer from: Divine Service Book for the Armed Forces, 1950, page 27

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