A Doer of Good or A Doer of God?

Matthew 19:16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?”

Making plans for eternity… sounds like a plan!

What good thing shall I do?  We learn in just a little while that this young man is wealthy. Likely he is able to purchase whatever his heart desires and he is definitely looking for that ONE thing that will complete (make his life, forever PERFECT) his search.

I’m sure no disrespect is intended (along with no respect either) when he sidles up next to Jesus and calls him, “Teacher” (not Lord, not God, not someone to worship). I’m sure he has been listening as he mingled in the crowds surrounding Jesus. I’m sure he noticed that the “Elite Crowd” (the Pharisees) were attempting to shut Jesus down and I’m fairly certain he gave no regard to his own judgmental attitude toward this motley group of Jesus Freaks.

Matthew 19:17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? (In other words, Jesus knew this young man was not seeking salvation but was seeking confirmation that he was already perfect with maybe just a little tweaking.)There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

I’d venture to guess, he is sure and certain he has whatever it takes to compete, win the race and gain the winner’s crown and scepter. 

There is only One who is good…and it is NOT YOU! but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments… this reminds me of when Jesus spoke to Jacob awhile back… “Let’s Rumble  Wrestle!”

Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?”

Matthew 19:18-19 And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”I find it rather interesting that of the ten, Jesus focused on the commands regarding this young man’s peers – his neighbors.

I don’t believe Jesus was elevating these, I believe He was starting with our inability to accomplish even the simplest of the commands. I believe He was pointing out our inability (and you thought Jesus was just talking to/about this arrogant rich boy) to comprehend how far we miss the mark with ourselves and others much less WHO OWNS the mark we are commanded to shoot at and hit.

Matthew 19:20 The young man *said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” How many times have you heard someone say or you yourself have said, “I’m a good person! (with the secret additional phrase… How dare God not do for me as I demand!”)?

I’m sure he – you – we are VERY SINCERE in our assessment.

Unfortunately, we wrongly assess the bullseye of the target to be set by man, preferably using ME as the model of perfection. Wherever my shot lands, it is righteous because I meant for it to be perfect!

RIGHT???????

Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

WRONG!!!!!!! There is only One who is good… ONLY GOD is perfection and HE SETS and IS the righteous bullseye for all His commandments.

If you wish to be (complete)perfect in all you think, say, and do, “Go”… “Sell all your ways and means”… “Give earthly treasure/and Get heavenly treasure.”

And then…

“Come, follow Me” the Author and Perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. He had invested everything in himself and his requirement for the happy, wealthy, wise life he desired to lead.

There are so many of us just like this young man. We set our requirements for the life we desire to live, believing that we can/should/will have it all. Everything is FINE (so proud of our accomplishment) until, heaven forbid, SOMEONE or SOMETHING threatens our perfection, like telling us to give it all away.

If I just weren’t SOOOOOOOO healthy, wealthy and wise.

**(This month I have tasted the fruit of this statement by DOWNSIZING – decluttering my life! It is the bitter fruit of grief, as I recall the memories of fun I have had in collecting the stuff and worrying I may need more of it for my future life-plan. CONFESSION…  have been tempted to turn and walk away from this particular mission prep God had given me to do.)**

Matthew 19:24-24 Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to 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.

Good thing I’m not rich, huh?! God evidently doesn’t make it easy for the “Successful People” to help Him with His Kingdom business.

Matthew 19:25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” 

NOT GOD, IT IS WE who don’t make it easy!!!!!!!!!

God doesn’t require us to give up ALL of our earthly wealth, nor does He require we never have more than just enough. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25-32, “He’s a GOOD GOOD FATHER (also a song by Chris Tomlin – which I’m quite sure he got from Scripture)!” And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

!! Observe and Remember! God is good all the time and all the time God is good (from my favorite movie, “God’s Not Dead”)!!

God is SO VERY GOOD, He does not wish for any to perish because the heart  chose it’s own king and refused the One True King. The STUFF of happy, healthy and wise is not the danger, it’s loosing eternal life with God because the stuff was used for the heart choose an evil king.

Laying down OUR STUFF to RECEIVE HIM and His world to some is more grief than they care to bear.  But yet each of us, every man/woman/child must enter through narrow gate. We are indeed rich because God made us into His image and blew into us His breath of life. 

Regardless of our circumstances, our environment, our friends, our enemies, EVERY man/woman/child is just a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:6-7)… I’d say that is pretty rich… But with the gift that no other creature (including the angels) has been given (Free Will)… I’d say that is pretty powerful… we must choose the narrow gate to enter. We must choose to seek the ONE we LOVE which is for some, easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than to enter the kingdom of God.

NOT POSSIBLE! “Then who can be saved?”

Matthew 19:27 And looking at them Jesus said to them (shaking His head I’m sure), “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Having a hard time squeezing through the eye of a needle? Enter in to God’s kingdom… Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20)

Be. a. doer. of. God!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.