All Things are Possible with God
26/07/09 12:33
When Jesus
was speaking to His disciples concerning how narrow
the gate was which allowed entrance into the kingdom
of heaven, He told them that that which was
impossible for man was possible with God.
Jesus had warned his hearers earlier to be very careful to enter through the narrow gate that leads to eternal life, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction.
Let me set the scene: Earlier, Jesus was teaching on the mount. It would later be called His famous “Sermon on the Mount.” Now, how much later I am not sure, a rich young ruler who inquired of the Lord concerning his eternal destination met Jesus and the disciples. He asked the Lord, “Good Master, what must I do, to inherit eternal life?” Jesus told him that he needed to obey the commandments. “I have obeyed the com-mandments since I was a child.” was his response.
He should have left it alone right there, but because he wanted to justify himself, he delved into a deeper conversation with the Lord. The more he talked with Jesus the more he realized that he lacked something. But what was it? So he asked, (I am paraphrasing here) “Lord, teach me. I am a good person; I keep the law and go to church. I have my own home and pay the taxes. I don’t try to cheat anyone and from time to time I have even donated to the poor. I treat people fairly and when it all boils down, live a pretty good, clean life. So, why am feeling as though I still lack something here?”
At this point the Bible says, “Jesus loved him.” “Go.” Jesus told him, “Sell everything you have and give it to the poor. Then, come follow me.” It is right here that makes the calling of God divine. It is right here where we realize that flesh and blood has not revealed salvation to us but that God, Himself, has opened our eyes and heart. It is at this precise moment that we either receive or miss the grace of God. And it is right here where we are either moving toward Heaven or away from it.
What was going through that young man’s heart at that moment? A decision. A big decision. I wonder if he thought, “Can I do this? Can I give everything away?” “Can I?” “Can I?” “Can I?”
Did you hear that? Have you ever started your own questions with those words? “Can I?” You know very well that there is nothing a man can do to inherit eternal life; it is a gift! So why do we start out thinking, “Can I…?”
Whether you have just given your heart to Jesus, or you’ve been on “the road” for awhile, no matter what is asked of you, know for certain that what may seem impossible for you to do is certainly possible for God to do through you. You can do all things through Christ! We are what we are by the grace of God –period. The difference is whether that grace is effectual in us. Remember, child of God, you are His workmanship and your life is in His Hands! He has made us for His pleasure and all things are possible with God.
Jesus had warned his hearers earlier to be very careful to enter through the narrow gate that leads to eternal life, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction.
Let me set the scene: Earlier, Jesus was teaching on the mount. It would later be called His famous “Sermon on the Mount.” Now, how much later I am not sure, a rich young ruler who inquired of the Lord concerning his eternal destination met Jesus and the disciples. He asked the Lord, “Good Master, what must I do, to inherit eternal life?” Jesus told him that he needed to obey the commandments. “I have obeyed the com-mandments since I was a child.” was his response.
He should have left it alone right there, but because he wanted to justify himself, he delved into a deeper conversation with the Lord. The more he talked with Jesus the more he realized that he lacked something. But what was it? So he asked, (I am paraphrasing here) “Lord, teach me. I am a good person; I keep the law and go to church. I have my own home and pay the taxes. I don’t try to cheat anyone and from time to time I have even donated to the poor. I treat people fairly and when it all boils down, live a pretty good, clean life. So, why am feeling as though I still lack something here?”
At this point the Bible says, “Jesus loved him.” “Go.” Jesus told him, “Sell everything you have and give it to the poor. Then, come follow me.” It is right here that makes the calling of God divine. It is right here where we realize that flesh and blood has not revealed salvation to us but that God, Himself, has opened our eyes and heart. It is at this precise moment that we either receive or miss the grace of God. And it is right here where we are either moving toward Heaven or away from it.
What was going through that young man’s heart at that moment? A decision. A big decision. I wonder if he thought, “Can I do this? Can I give everything away?” “Can I?” “Can I?” “Can I?”
Did you hear that? Have you ever started your own questions with those words? “Can I?” You know very well that there is nothing a man can do to inherit eternal life; it is a gift! So why do we start out thinking, “Can I…?”
Whether you have just given your heart to Jesus, or you’ve been on “the road” for awhile, no matter what is asked of you, know for certain that what may seem impossible for you to do is certainly possible for God to do through you. You can do all things through Christ! We are what we are by the grace of God –period. The difference is whether that grace is effectual in us. Remember, child of God, you are His workmanship and your life is in His Hands! He has made us for His pleasure and all things are possible with God.
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