Don't Wait 3

"Let’s look at another example of what happens to those who procrastinate  making a decision for Jesus.

Mark 10:17-22

“Andwhen 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 inheret eternal life? 

V18 And Jesus said unto Him, Why callest thou me good?  There is none good but one, that is, God. 

V19 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. 

V20 And he answered unto Hi, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 

V21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest; go thy way, sell whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 

V22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”

I wonder which it was that disappointed the rich young ruler the most?

Selling his riches and giving to the poor?

Or

Taking up the cross and following Jesus?

But they go hand in hand.

I really admire Jesus for facing this rich young ruler with the truth.  Jesus didn’t preach easy believism to this young man.  Jesus told him the cost.

Here’s what Jesus really said to the rich young man and every one else that fits the category and rejects the call of God.

You’ve done well with your life

You’ve followed the law

You’ve been a good person

And you are obviously a religious man

• But to follow me, you will have to give up who you are and you will have to trust me for your wealth. 
• It will take sacrifice and discipline.
• Those who love you will turn their backs on you.
• Some of your friends and family will forsake you.
• The religious will abandon you.
• Everything you have built will be overturned.
• You will have to trade in what you think has value for other treasures.
• The government and the religious will think you are a traitor.
• You will have to follow me into Jerusalem (anywhere) where I will be crucified for a crime I didn’t commit.
• After that you will be persecuted, mocked, ridiculed and laughed at.
• You will have to serve others.
• You will have to relearn what you have been taught.
• You will have to change: 

From first to last

From controlling to broken

From religious to righteous

And the rich young man and many others went away sad.

Had the rich young man and everyone else that has said no to Christ, accepted Christ they would have come to know the benefits of following Jesus.  They would have learned of the free gift of salvation and they would have understood that the cost is not to be compared to the benefits.

         Excerpt from Don't Wait by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2016