18 Apr 2008

It has been a while since I have blogged!

Luke chapter 18 told the parable of a rich ruler. He first addressed Jesus as a 'good teacher' and of course, he can and probably has the time and the energy to follow the commandments of God, but that did not bring him any closer to enter the kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is about Jesus REIGN, it is about His RULE, a RELATIONSHIP with Him and all about His RIGHTEOUSNESS.

How easy if it for a man to get rich and be able to enter the kingdom of God. BUT this is not the way - sell away all your wealth. When Jesus requested that - the rich ruler walked away.

A wholeheartedness that brings about a desire to discipline one to follow Christ is much required to enter the enter of God. I, included, fall into the category of the rich ruler. We are rich, comfortable in the material things we had - a easy life with little trials and testing. Yes we are Christian, but are filled with a lot of carnal desire that needs pleasure and treasures of this world to be satisfied.

Where is that wholeheartedness?

Compare the story of the blind man in Jerico - who has nothing and knew who Jesus is by calling Him 'Son of David'. It is his faith that healed his blindness.

I pray and ask that God wil enable me and filled me with your Spirit - like the way you make dry bones into flesh and with your breath - turned them into life. Let me put material pleasures and treasures not grip us like the way the rich ruler is. But focus with a spiritual discipline to seek you with a wholehearted faith. Amen.