Tough Path

ObeyGC2 will not be attractive to everyone. The invitation to come and suffer and sacrifice and give and die is not convenient, comfortable or attractive to those who have a lot to lose or who fear risk.

Ironically, it is the people who are most satisfied now who are the least likely to get what’s worth having in the long run. This is a good way to summarize the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:2-10. Evidently, of all the temptations to cling to something that’s available now at great cost to one’s eternal welfare, money is one of the most powerful. I base this on the fact that Jesus spent so much time talking about it. There are plenty of other things and people which can short-circuit our commitment to the Lord…anything which keeps us from following Him unreservedly. Is there anything you are unwilling to sacrifice if the Lord asks you to?

Matt 6:24

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Matt 19:16-24

16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” the man inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.'”

20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

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