In the gospel of Matthew a young man came to Jesus and inquired what he needed
to do. He was told to keep the commandments. When he said that he had
done this he wanted to know what more he needed to do by asking, "What
lack I yet?". The Lord responded with a challenge specifically for him,
that was to sell all that he had.
Most of us do not realize that there is more to life than keeping the commandments. That is the first step. But there is much more. Hidden in Christ's reply was not to sell all, which was directed at the young man, but the charge to come and follow Him. This is a charge for each of us.
If we are going to follow Christ we will have to do more and be more. The process of becoming perfect, as Christ and His Father are perfect, is a labor for us to perform here on earth.
We must constantly be learning and improving. We must go a second, third and fourth mile and many more. Waiting for our quest for perfection until we go in the spirit world will only put us that far behind where we could have been had we been diligent here in this life.
The Lord through the Holy Ghost will lead us line-by-line and precept-by-precept. We will not be forced to do anything in this life. For God will never coerce.
Perhaps we can seek that personal revelation by asking in our prayers, “What lack I yet?”. Then listening to the answer. When we get an impression we need to heed the prompting and do it.
Thus we will be guided by a loving Heavenly Father to become more like Him, but he will never force us.
There are many distractions to keep us from becoming and being better than we are capable of. Too much time is spent in that which profiteth nothing.
Why don't you try and receive some personal revelation? The next time you pray ask, " What lack I yet?". You might be surprised at the answer.
Love,
Grandpa
Most of us do not realize that there is more to life than keeping the commandments. That is the first step. But there is much more. Hidden in Christ's reply was not to sell all, which was directed at the young man, but the charge to come and follow Him. This is a charge for each of us.
If we are going to follow Christ we will have to do more and be more. The process of becoming perfect, as Christ and His Father are perfect, is a labor for us to perform here on earth.
We must constantly be learning and improving. We must go a second, third and fourth mile and many more. Waiting for our quest for perfection until we go in the spirit world will only put us that far behind where we could have been had we been diligent here in this life.
The Lord through the Holy Ghost will lead us line-by-line and precept-by-precept. We will not be forced to do anything in this life. For God will never coerce.
Perhaps we can seek that personal revelation by asking in our prayers, “What lack I yet?”. Then listening to the answer. When we get an impression we need to heed the prompting and do it.
Thus we will be guided by a loving Heavenly Father to become more like Him, but he will never force us.
There are many distractions to keep us from becoming and being better than we are capable of. Too much time is spent in that which profiteth nothing.
Why don't you try and receive some personal revelation? The next time you pray ask, " What lack I yet?". You might be surprised at the answer.
Love,
Grandpa
Earlier, in Mt. 5, Jesus revealed to his disciples that the commandments (of the law of Moses) would be fulfilled on a new level in his kingdom. In Mt. 5:48 he summarizes this fulfillment in terms of being perfect, as the heavenly Father is perfect. This verse especially relates to the commandments quoted in 5:43--love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.
ReplyDeleteThe fulfillment Jesus reveals is to love even your enemies. The partial love found in the law of Moses must turn into the perfect love in the teaching of Jesus, a love that is like that of the heavenly Father, who gives gifts of rain and sun even to the evil and unjust (5:44-45). This love is perfect because it loves everybody.
Jesus also quotes the command about loving neighbor to the rich young man, and again speaks of being perfect. Rich landowners in Jesus' time had great treasures and paid little wages. If this young man is to be perfect and follow Jesus, it will mean loving even his poor farmers, by selling his most treasured possessions and giving more to the poor.
In Mt. 6:19 Jesus tells all his disciples not to store up treasures on earth, but to lay up treasures in heaven. Thus Jesus tells the rich man that if he sells those luxurious treasures and gives to the poor, he will have treasure in heaven (Mt. 19:21).