Sometimes I actually think that I am fully surrendered to Christ - probably because I am willing to move and be a missionary in Kenya. Willingness to sell your stuff and move to Africa equals openness right?
It at least makes me more perfect than the rich young ruler.
When the rich man asked Jesus what he had to do to have eternal life, this is what 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." (Matt. 19:21)What would your response to Jesus be?
"When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions" (Matt. 19:22).Unlike the rich young ruler, I am willing to sell everything for Jesus. At least that is what I used to think. But there is a question in the "Open" book that I cannot get out of my mind...
What's the unspoken limit to what you will sacrifice in order to follow Jesus?If you are like me and quick to judge the young ruler, let me offer you the conviction God has given me. Jesus has an individual call for everyone, however when he calls a person, he bids them come and die, and this is true for every disciple of Christ (Boenhoffer).
There are specific sacrifices Jesus demands of some followers of His... to sell everything, to drop their nets, leave their father, leave their home, and let the dead bury the dead. But there is also a general sacrifice for all of us who would choose to make Jesus not just our savior, but our Lord.
"Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38)
Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Mark 8:34)
"And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27)
Then He said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)Jesus invites us to follow Him. It's an invitation to the cross, it's an invitation to death. If we join Him in His suffering, He promises a reward that is worthy to sacrifice for. "Whoever loses His life for me, will find it." (Mt. 16:25)
What does it mean to lose your life? What does it mean to deny yourself?
It doesn't mean to actually hang on a cross, although some have and more will... it is all about making Jesus the Lord of your heart, the Lord of your life. And if you do this, there will be treasure for you in heaven. But what about your treasure here on earth?
Where your treasure is - there your heart will be also. I have different riches than the young ruler - meaning we have different crosses to bear. I'm not death gripping the same treasure he was, but there are things in my life that might make me walk away sad if Jesus asked me to give them up.
In a blog I read recently the writer referenced a quote from her pastor:
"You don't know what idols you worship until Jesus says, ‘I want it.'"Idols aren't bad things. They are the best things in your life. They are probably your most precious treasures. They become idolatrous when we are unwilling to give them up to God.
God is jealous for us, especially when we give our hearts away to lesser gods. He longs for us to have an undivided heart. He wants our minds attention and our hearts affection. I love this story because it gives us a look into the young ruler's heart, into the idolatry found there.
Jesus always revealed the true state of people's hearts. We must not avoid digging deeper into ours. Ephesians 5:11 says to expose the heart. What is exposed by the light becomes visible -- and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. If we want to be children of the light we must have fellowship with the light. (1 John 1:6)
I'm encouraged, inspired, comforted, and convicted by two examples of sacrifice in the Bible, better examples to follow than the young ruler -- Abraham and Jesus.
Can you imagine God asking you to murder your son? That is basically what happened to Abraham.
What do you love the most in this world? Who do you love the most?
Abraham was so committed to God, he was willing to submit no matter what, and to obey even to the point of sacrificing the thing he loved the most. Abraham loved God more than anything in this world, even his only child.
The good part about Isaac is that Abraham's willingness was sufficient, he didn't actually have to go through with making the sacrifice. There is another story much similar, except with what seems to be a sadder ending. However the suffering and sacrifice turns out to be completely worth it.
You see... there was another Father that had to sacrifice His son on the alter. And like Isaac, there was another young man that climbed up onto a tree, trusting His dad. His name is Jesus.
Imagine Jesus in the garden of Gathsemane.... sweating blood, wrestling with the will of God. "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39)
Jesus was willing to die to acheive the will of God.
Are you?
Am I?
Jesus is the perfect example of denying yourself and taking up your cross. He invites us to follow Him to our death which leads to life in HIm. You see, denying yourself and taking up your cross is a picture of Jesus' death - dying to your will, and submitting yourself to God's, obediently laying down your life for Him. Good news - if you lay down your life you will pick it up again through Christ.
More good news about God's will = It is perfect and good. The cross seemed like the worst thing that could have ever happened, but we needed it in order to get to the resurrection. There was purpose in the pain and meaning in the suffering. It was worth it - because Jesus rose and He lives. We will also rise and inherit the kingdom of God - IF we follow Christ to the cross.
So... What's the unspoken limit? What lines have you drawn? Where are you fighting God?
If Jesus calls you, will you go? Will you drink the cup or let it pass? Will you walk away sad like the rich young ruler? Will you put your only son on the alter? Will you lay down your life for Christ?
Maybe God isn't asking you to sacrifice your son or literally give up your life... Maybe He isn't asking you to sell everything or move to Africa... but i'm confident there is a step He is calling you to take, a door he wants you to knock on and walk through, suffering he wants you to endure for His name's sake. Will you yield? Will you submit? Will you obey? Will you sacrifice? Will you take the cup? Will you go to the cross?
A friend of mine once said, "I love Jesus more than sex." And may that be true for each of us - may we love Jesus more than the idol our heart clings to. More than our riches. More than our only son. May we keep a loose grip on the things we love the most. And may we not withhold any area of our lives from the hand of God.
I've recently felt a sense of wandering in the wilderness. God has been using my broken dreams, disappointments, and unmet expectations to reveal areas of sin that need exposed in my heart. It's almost as if God has intentionally allowed me to experience this pain - not to hurt me, but to love me. I praise Him for the suffering and adversity because it is there that I encounter His glorious mercy and grace. God has been redeeming me and the space I give him in my heart with His purposes and I am learning to live by every word that comes from the Lord.
The rich young ruler missed the promise when he focused instead on the sacrifice he was asked to make. The sacrifice is costly, but it also comes with a worth while gain.
"You will have treasure in heaven, come, follow me."God will lead us through something painful to bring us to a greater thing or a greater place. Will we count the cost and consider him worthy?
Galatians 2:20 says that the Lord Jesus has laid claim to every part of my life, and He has every right to do so. My prayer is that despite my sheepish ways, God's grace will continue to make me holy until I'm completely conformed to the image of His Son, who does not worship false gods. God will not give His glory to anyone or anything else. No other name! He deserves all of our worship and all of our praise.
So what is God putting His finger on in your heart and life that you have been worshipping instead of Him? It won't feel good... but it's God's perfect Fatherly love that will use something painful to lead you to the greatest gain you will ever know - an intimate relationship with your Maker.
"Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother of children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life." (Matt 19:29)Whatever it is that Jesus wants, put it on the alter.
