SERIOUSLY CHALLENGING......YOU!

²⁰ But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’ ”²¹ The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

²² When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done.

So yesterday we discover that there is this guy, that is really model citizen it appears that has approached Jesus to ask him what must he do to inherit eternal life.   So Jesus reminds him of the commandments only to be answered by this go-getting, head of the class gentlemen with saying I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young.   What about you?  Yes you...the reader.....how are you doing on the checklist?  You know committing adultery?  Murder?  Stealing?  Lying?  Honoring mom and pop?  Did you say no one could be that perfect?  Or are you as deceived as the Rich Young Ruler in believing that you actually got all of things down?  You've REALLY, SERIOUSLY mastered the commandments?  Let me remind you of just a few scriptures:

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Rom. 3:23

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.  James 2:10

Just in case you too....believed as he believed...that he was literally perfect.   Jesus quickly pointed out to him but putting His finger on the ONE THING (which we will talk about tomorrow) that he was missing. 

So what's my serious challenge to you........search your own hearts.  Stop looking at others and attempting to judge the intentions of their heart, but really search your own.  Begin with recognizing YOU AINT ( I know...are not....) PERFECT and you too need the Holy Spirit's help with your stuff.  Test your own heart by asking yourself are their some names, that if they are brought up.....evoke an emotional response that is NOT one of LOVE, FORGIVENESS, GRACE or MERCY then you need to GO TO GOD with that.  REMEMBER people in relationships (work, home, community...wherever) YOU ARE NOT BATTLING, NOT IN WAR WITH, FLESH AND BLOOD (Eph. 6)....so know who your real enemy is so that you will not be held responsible for unfriendly & friendly fire.  START BY LOVING GOD and  ALL (my emphasis PEOPLE!