During breakfast one morning, Stan mentioned that he had again been looking at the story of the young man who is commonly referred to as the rich young ruler. He asked me if I remembered that story.
“Yeah,” I replied, “I think I remember the basics of that story. Isn’t he the one who after Jesus told him what to do in order to follow Him, he said that he wouldn’t do that because it would cost him too much?”
“That’s basically it,” Stan agreed and then said, “when I was focusing on what Jesus said to the young guy, it reminded me of a testimony I heard once from a friend about how this story really impacted his faith.”
“How’d it do that?”
“This friend of mine,” Stan replied, “told me that one day he was looking at the story about the rich young guy and he saw the contrast of his own life in what Jesus said.”
“The contrast of his own life? How so?”
“Jesus told the rich young guy what he needed to do to be complete,” Stan replied, “and my friend realized he was complete, but in the wrong way.”
“Complete in the wrong way? What wrong way?”
“That rather than being complete in following Jesus,” Stan replied, “he was a complete fool by not accepting what Jesus offered, as well as by not doing what He said. He was complete in the wrong way!”
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Bible verses to consider:
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, . . . ; and come follow Me.” Matthew 19:21.
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1.
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23.
And why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? Like 6:46.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you for opening me to the truth of your provision so I could accept it and not continue as a fool walking apart from you, both here and in eternity. I confess that even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t do what you know I need in order to follow Jesus. Please forgive that foolishness. Help me follow every step of your lead in following you just as you intend. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you stopped being foolish in the sense that you have accepted the life that God offers through Jesus, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why is that your choice? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with what Jesus says about following Him? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need in order to following Him as He intends? Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to being part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?