God works so many things for our good, as He said He would. This morning as I was sitting outside in the winter, California sun having my morning coffee, with the book of James fresh in my mind, I was listening to a sermon from a church I have never attended. One of the many facets of going through the pandemic is that I have explored other churches online, as many others have. Virtually visiting other churches has been great! I have watched sermons and participated in praise and worship all throughout the week in my own living room. Yes, I sing loud with my scratchy, off-tuned voice, grateful to be able to sing without offending my neighbor. Just one little perk.
This morning I listened to a young pastor online. While watching and listening, I took note of some of my own thoughts as I listened, prompted, I believe, by the Holy Spirit. I would like to share some of my thoughts with you.
The Sermon began with the pastor speaking about the rich, young ruler in the New Testament. The rich, young ruler did so many things right: he actually went to Jesus and spoke to him in person (amazing!) and asked him what he should do to obtain eternal life. The young man had lived a good life, obeying many of the commandments. Read through the conversation and beyond in Matthew 19:16-30. The point made by the pastor was that, although the young man had kept many of the laws and was well respected, being a successful man in his day, he put his worldly treasures before God. That was a barrier he could not cross; he would not give up his finances and follow Jesus. Sadly, that’s the end of that story.
I interject my obvious question here: What is it that is stopping you or me from “going all in” to follow Jesus? We all have barriers particular to our individual personalities & experiences that make us who we are. What is it that is stopping you from giving your life to Christ? Or going deeper in your walk? What is holding you or me back from giving ourselves 100% to God? As James says in chapter 1, verse 22, "Prove yourselves Doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves."
Now here is where the sermon gets really interesting. The pastor contrasted the rich, young ruler to Paul in the Bible. The rich, young ruler had something he was putting before Christ: money. He wouldn’t give it up. Paul, however, who had money, religious prestige and huge amount of power, and gave up everything for Christ. Paul went on to write much of the New Testament and was martyred for the sake of the gospel. A huge accomplishment like none other in the history of the world. The greatest example of someone being extremely against the gospel and Christians to the point of killing Christians. He then, turned 180 degrees in the opposite direction (repented), acknowledged Jesus as his Lord and Savior and went on to write a great deal of the Bible, becoming one of the the greatest testimonies of all time. Truly amazing.
Interesting comparison but I would like to take it a step further.
Paul, as you know, was called Saul prior to his conversion to Christ. Saul was an educated, wealthy Pharisee, also known as the “Pharisee of Pharisees” due to his high credentials. He had the credentials, blood line and power of a high ranking Jewish leader. He intensely persecuted Christians, killing anyone who followed Christ: men, women and children. Saul, did not seek Jesus. Quite the opposite. It was Jesus that went after Saul. Acts chapter 9 records the conversion of Saul.
A bright light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice calling his name. The voice of Jesus gave Saul instructions and he was blinded for 3 days. Read through the rest of Acts and the New Testament and you will see the glory of God through the life and writings of Paul. Note: Saul, after his conversion, was called Paul.
All of this is running through my head as I hear the pastor talk about the rich young ruler vs Saul/Paul. It occurs to me that God doesn’t treat everyone the same. Yes, Christ died for everyone. But I see something different here. How could Saul, with all of his truly evil past, possibly walk away from his experience with God and NOT become Paul? My gosh…God blinded him for three days! He disabled him. He literally stopped him in his tracks and took away his sight. Think about that. If I went blind for three days, not knowing if I would ever see again, my life would be shaken up. God would have my attention.
Question: Was the rich, young ruler gypped because God didn’t give him extra attention? No further prompting? Not a nudge? Not a rebuke? No blindness? Did God show less compassion on the rich, young ruler than he did to Saul?
Moreover, did God love Saul more through His demonstration of “going the extra mile” for him? After all, it was Saul who was opposed to Christ and the rich, young ruler went to Christ and asked him how to obtain eternal life. Why would God choose Saul over the young man and pursue him harder?
God also allowed Paul to have a “thorn in the flesh” which many believe was an issue (I’ll call it a disability), with his eyes. Whatever this thorn in the flesh aka disability was, it kept Paul humbled and grounded, centered, if you will, on Christ.
Which was more kind? Letting the rich, young ruler literally walk away from Jesus? Or stopping Saul in his tracks and blinding him to get his attention?
Which was more loving?
Which was more effective?
Which was more like grabbing your loved one in the heat of a moment and shaking his shoulders and confronting him face to face with the truth? Are we supposed to confront people we love forcefully or should we just let them walk away?
I think the answer is that both responses by God were appropriate for that person. How many people are shown the truth either gently, factually or fiercely and they still walk away from God?
Drug addicts. Alcoholics. Business people. Friends, family, acquaintences, lovely neighbors…Everyone has a choice. Everyone answers individually to God and God alone.
I have a disabled friend who both fiercely and gently loves the Lord. Her youthful, beautiful, fun-filled life suddenly stopped when she was hit with a disability. What a shocking thing to happen. Yet, with her disability she has created so much beauty for the Lord. She has used her life, her weakness, her very body to reach out, like Paul did, to take the gospel to hurting people all across the globe. Like Paul, she has suffered with her thorn in the flesh for the sake of the gospel. What an honor. What courage. What stamina. What devotion. What character. She has so much inner strength and yet, she is so gentle and compassionate. Does God love her more?
God says to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, in response to Paul asking to be relieved of his thorn, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
As I think about my own life and how God will use me for my remaining years, I wonder what kind of heart I really have. Is it one who will give up everything for God? Or is my devotion limited? I love the Lord. I serve Him. I pray. I confess. I am forgiven (Thank you, Jesus). I worship. I read. I give. I tithe. I DO what God asks of me…at least I think I do. I try.
Will I stay at this level or faith and devotion thinking it’s enough? Or do I step out in faith and continue to press on in my spiritual walk? The rich, young ruler walked away. Saul became Paul and never looked back. He kept moving forward. This, I think, is the deeper comparison.
Wherever we are in our walk with God, will we keep moving forward? Even if it's uncomfortable? Even if it hurts?
A few more questions
What will it take for you to come to Christ?
If you are already a believer, what will it take for you to serve God fully? And to KEEP serving Him fully?
Philippians 2:12b-13a says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you…”. We need to press on. Work it out. It takes effort. Don't give up.
Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Prayer
Thank you Lord, for bringing me to salvation. And thank you for continuing to grow me, like a vine. You prune and nurture me. Sometimes it hurts and sometimes it feels good, like the warm sunshine on my skin. I am growing and flowering and producing fruit in your name, because You said You would finish what You started in me. It’s all You.
Thank you, Jesus, for loving me. I bring to you and serve you with my gifts and my disabilities. Amen.
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