What Lies Between You and Obedience?
Scripture Reading — Luke 18:18-30
"You still lack one thing ..."
Luke 18:22
—
He was the kind of man that every Jewish mother wanted her daughter to marry-respectful, righteous, and rich. I'm guessing the disciples were pretty impressed with him too. He was the kind of person they would want as a friend-someone concerned about the right things, who came to Jesus looking for answers, who had the resources to help fund Jesus' ministry.
But Jesus instantly exposed this impressive man's divided heart. "Sell everything you have and give to the poor ..." Jesus said. "Then come, follow me." The rich man responded with sadness and walked away.
Jesus' hard-hitting word to this man was essentially the same thing he had said earlier to the people about the cost of discipleship. But then his message was "You have to be prepared to give up family, friends, and even the comforts and conveniences of your life-if any of it prevents you from saying, ‘Yes Lord,' to the instruction I give you."
What instruction is Jesus giving to you these days? Is the wealth in your life (or anything else) keeping you from obedience in any way? Do you have any prized possessions that excite your imagination in ways that push God aside?
Let them go.
Really.
<p>Dear God, forgive us for betraying you by desiring other things more than you. Thank you for the grace of your forgiveness! Help us to set aside these things to serve you. Amen.</p>
About the author — Dave Den Haan
Dave Den Haan is an ordained minister who works for Thrive, the Christian Reformed Church in North America agency that equips and encourages congregations. His main focus is to serve churches experiencing conflict and challenge. Before working with Thrive, Dave served as a pastor to two congregations, one in Minnesota and one in Michigan. He and his wife, Connie, have three married children and two grandchildren.
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