We were talking about the Rich Young Rule in Matthew 19 at church recently which had me thinking about following Christ, obedience, full surrender, and pretend Christianity.
Matthew 19:16-22
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
16 Just then 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, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall 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.
The Rich Young Ruler wasn’t saved because he was keeping the law. He was lost because he wasn’t able to surrender to God. He had something in his life much more important than God that he would not give up. He was truly a pretend Christian. {And that’s exactly what I don’t want to be.}
A man in his late twenties came to speak to a church member last month and told him he had brain cancer. They found the cancer late and they don’t expect him to live very long. They gave him months to live. Not years. Months. A year ago my dad was cutting this same man down from a tree next door to our church because he tried to hang himself. Now he is dealing with the death sentence of advanced cancer. He asked the church member, “What should I do?”
Everyone wants to know what to do with this thing called life.
At some point in our lives we all ask the same thing. The Rich Young Rule and this man who is dying of brain cancer have the same question essentially. But, we can do nothing to save ourselves. We must turn to the only one who can save us – our Savior, Jesus Christ. That’s the point of this whole thing called life. Knowing God and NOT just going through the motions of a pretend Christianity. Really knowing Him and fully surrendering our lives to Him. That isn’t easy, is it? I struggle with trusting God enough to give my all to Him. I pray for more faith daily.
Ten Bible Verses about Surrendering to God
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12: 1
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10: 17
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4: 7
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1: 5
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11: 6
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22: 37
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. Psalm 13: 5
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46: 10.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12: 2
Are you like me? Do you struggle with surrendering fully to God? With having enough faith?
What are you doing about it?
