© 12 Colin Melbourne
The Rich Young Ruler and Christ
The Holy Spirit relates this incident three times in the Gospels because it teaches us so much about salvation. Please read it in Mtt. 19:16-30, Mk. 10:17-27, and Lk. 18:18-30 asking the LORD to open your eyes.
The triple narratives confirm;
- The man religiously observed the Jewish Law
- He was young
- A ruler of some kind, with authority
- He was rich
A Jewish religious Yuppie!
Empty: What Shall I Do?
He sought Christ, running, and kneeling humbly before Him; eager, teachable, and without arrogance.
He’d performed the prescribed religious routines, but was confused because he still had no life or peace.
Outwardly successful, and prosperous: But inwardly destitute of heart.
Surely he’d prayed much since hearing what Jesus was doing in Town; and so, convinced he’d get the Truth, he asked the most important question a person can ever contemplate, Mk. 10:17b KJV;
…what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
This shows great wisdom, and maturity.
Most men of his age are busy chasing pretty girls, “having fun”, and generally wasting their lives.
I’m convinced he was sincere in his search for peace with God, but suspect he thought of using his wealth to get it, because in Matthew’s account we see he pointedly asked Christ,
Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
He was contemplating using his money and authority to “do a good thing” to please God and inherit eternal life.
Perhaps open an orphanage or hand Christ a wedge of cash to feed widows, something along that line: Buying and working his way into Heaven on the religious treadmill.
He’d been religiously programmed by Judaism, so that is the way he thought when speaking to Christ.
Preacher: Name Your Price!
The Yuppie would have been delighted to oblige if Christ had replied;
“I’m so glad you came to ask me that question, your tithe, and a love offering would be very helpful in my ministry.”
But Praise God! Jesus had no use for the man’s money, nor did He want it.
Instead, He put His finger on the root of the chap’s problem, and told him how to solve it.
Christ will do the same for you today if you will seek Him with all your heart.
He longs for you to come humbly like this man did.
He won’t ignore you, and will show you how to fix your problem too.
One thing thou lackest
Mark’s account says just one thing was keeping the man from God’s best.
It wasn’t complicated, he didn’t require; endless “counselling”, days of prayer, “inner healing”, or special ministry.
Neither do you; you just need to hear God, then do what He says, and you’ll be fixed.
What was the one thing the rich young ruler lacked?
What do you lack?
In his case it was wholeheartedness.
His heart was divided.
He sincerely tried to please God, but he was an idolater.
His fortune and position were his idols.
They came between him and God.
So Jesus told him to dump the false-gods, and he’d find what he’d craved all his life.
Notice He didn’t say, “Sell all you have and give me the proceeds to build a cathedral and hospice.”
No, Jesus wanted the most precious thing the man owned: His heart.
He wants yours too.
Let Him have it, all of it, whatever it costs you.
The Word of Knowledge
Matthew relates the divine response. Mtt. 19:21 KJV;
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
These were the most important words the man ever heard on Earth.
It’s God’s word to you too.
Study them, take them to heart, and do what they say.
Perhaps you have different idols; your career, your business, profession, or passion, your sporting ambitions, or your home. If it is keeping you from receiving God’s blessing, it’s time to burn your plough, and your bridges.
You won’t regret it.
If thou wilt be perfect
This is a very precious word.
Is it possible to be perfect?
Of course! God in the Flesh said so.
All the Yuppie had to do was ditch his idols, and follow Christ with all his heart, and Jesus said he’d be perfect.
Your concept of perfection is probably perfect performance, but thank God, His is different.
Perfection in God’s mind is an undivided heart.
One completely devoted to Him.
Isn’t that so beautiful?
Oh you see it now!
Worship Him you Saints.
Yes; after we are saved His grace covers our mistakes, and as long as our hearts are true and fully devoted to Him, He counts that as perfect in His Book.
Only believe!
Be ye therefore perfect
To the religious it is sacrilege to think you can be perfect before God, religious people splutter, and screech that only One Man is perfect.
Christ is indeed perfect in every way, but He doesn’t demand perfect performance from you to credit you with perfection.
As long as you are filled with His Spirit, walking in the Light, and Christ is ruling your undivided heart: You are Perfect in God’s sight.
Dare to believe God.
It’s Bible: Not sacrilege.
In fact He commands us to be perfect. Mtt. 5:48 KJV;
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
God loves it when we catch-on, and simply believe and obey Him, walking in peace and security.
Many Perfect Men in the Bible
Even under the Old Covenant the Bible tells of hundreds of thousands of men whom God described as perfect, not just the Patriarchs.
These people were not Blood-washed New Covenant saints, like us, they were unregenerate sinners under Law. Yet God says their hearts were perfect before Him: Because they were wholehearted for Him. (1 Ki. 15:14, 2 Ki. 20:3, 1 Ch. 12:38, 29:9, Job 1:8)
Will you accept God’s word to you now, and be perfect?
Smith Wigglesworth is far and away England’s greatest Evangelist. Mighty signs and wonders accompanied his preaching. But his life was not easy, it was filled with severe trials and testing. He overcame by following Christ and walking in the power of His Spirit. Smith lived in God’s Presence on Earth, aiming to always be ready for Rapture. He preached under a mighty anointing. Let him tell you how you can do the same: Smith Wigglesworth on Heaven.
© 12 Colin Melbourne
