“Possible!”
Blessings Folk!!
In our last time together we saw that nothing is impossible for God.
Today, let’s look at the inverse/corollary…?
The angel told Mary in his pronouncement of the conception of Jesus that nothing was impossible with God.
Jesus Himself gives some interesting insight into this.
The subject?
The rich.
All of us are “rich”. You are reading this on some form of a computer...either you own one or have access to one.
We are truly “richer” then most folk who have every lived.
This particular encounter is covered in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. We do well to read all three accounts.
Matt 19:16-26
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 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.
18 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,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 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.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
KJV
You have probably heard this account before, yet, take a moment and think on a couple of things.
This man wanted to know how to secure eternal life. What a great inquiry!
The young man acknowledged that he had successfully kept the law from his youth.
No small feat!
Note that Jesus did not question him on his statement.
Jesus simply told him to do something.
Go and sell all that you have...if you want to be perfect…complete.
Give all you have to the poor.
Come and follow me.
The man went away sorrowful because he had great possessions.
Jesus was not telling him that he had to do something to “earn eternal life.”
The Lord was revealing to him that he had not kept the commandments.
The young man had committed the same sin as Paul - he coveted.
Rom 7:7
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
KJV
Jesus then stated how hard it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
If one were to read Matthew and Luke alone then it might appear that the Lord was saying something against “being rich.”
This is not true.
Many who are rich are saved.
What the Lord is revealing to the young man, and us, is that it is impossible to enter the kingdom of heaven by trusting in one’s own abilities and riches.
Note what is stated in the parallel account...
Mark 10:24
24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
KJV
It is impossible to trust in the riches of man and enter into the Kingdom.
The disciples were amazed by the statement. Who then could be saved?
We see that salvation is impossible through the processes of man.
Salvation is only through that which God can do.
With men it is impossible, but not with God.
For, with God all things are possible.
It is the Lord who transforms the heart of the rich, the poor, the strong, the weak, the mighty, the low…
Regardless of your circumstance, with God all things are possible.
Trust in God.
Lean not on your own understanding.
Trust not in your abilities, your resources, your wisdom, your skills...lay them all before the Lord.
Please, do not trust in “what your church is doing.” So many are being deceived.
Then, watch what He will do...to the praise of the glory of His grace.
Remember!
With God, nothing is impossible.
With God, all things are possible.
Blessings!!
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http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/without-new-words/id344464991
As always, check out my website for daily news article updates, prayer updates, etc. Also, several full-length Prayerline programs are available online.
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