When God Says …
“And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:24-25 KJV).
When the Lord Jesus witnessed the rich young ruler’s reaction to His command, He said as per the Message Bible paraphrase, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who have it all to enter God’s kingdom? I’d say it’s easier to thread a camel through a needle’s eye than get a rich person into God’s kingdom.” This, seriously, warns of the great risk work in self-righteousness through observance of the law and trust in one's own resources, can cost your eternal life, rather than resting in the grace of God in Christ.
The issue with the presumptive rich ruler is not his having money, but his trust in it. He loved his wealth more than God, allowing his riches to become his idol. Those who rely on their own merits, reputation, successes and their "riches”, will find it difficult to enter the kingdom of God. They’re caught in a struggle to surrender to the grace of God because they believe they have done enough on their own.
The Lord, by using the illustration that it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, tells of the impossibility for a person possessed by wealth to enter the kingdom of God. The lesson is about where the heart puts its trust—either in riches and personal ability to gain righteousness or faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ by grace.
It reminds us that righteousness is received as a gift of God through Christ Jesus. It is, therefore, fitting that we meditate on this passage always. It is written: “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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