There’s a saying, ‘It’s difficult, if not impossible, to have faith in God if you have too much faith in yourself.’
Could this be why Jesus said, “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.” (Mark 10:25) This didn’t leave a smile on people’s faces. The young ruler went away ‘sad’ because of his wealth and the disciples were completely flabbergasted (10:26). After all, if a good, sincere and eager man had knelt at Jesus’ feet, yet couldn’t make it, then “Who can be saved?” (10:26)
Jesus clarified that it might be impossible in their strength and by their own merit, but not with God! Saint Paul said, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no-one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). This is salvation in a nutshell. For rich and poor alike, it’s not earned by effort, but is a free gift, received through trusting in God’s love and power, and by surrendering our lives to Jesus.
The pop idol, Will Young, recorded a love song. However, whenever I hear the words, I think of Jesus. Maybe today they can remind me of the hope of the Christian faith: “Reaching the impossible, I’ll never doubt again. I’m flying high ‘cause your love’s made me see. That anything is possible. Possible ‘cause you believe in me.”
Prayer: Thank you, Lord. “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” Amen. (Job 42:2)
Copyright Rev. Anthony D. Miles July 2006
One Comment
Celal
June 7, 2007 at 4:32 pmHey there Tony,
I don’t know about you but me and my household have been taken over by The Apprentice these days. Maybe you’ve got better things to do with your time but we are hooked. In any case , it will all be over next week.
Anyway what strikes me about the candidates is how they’ve done it all and want it all or if they haven’t they market themselves as such. I suppose it’s worldliness at its height.
I see that your post here is about highlighting the Kingdom of God realities. It’s a very different sort of environment. Thank God for that.
But of course it would seem that we can’t swing to the other extreme and say the Kingdom of God is about ‘non achievers’ or ‘non achievement’.
What do you think ?