I don’t know that I was ever labeled as being a ‘teacher’s pet’ in school. It probably had something to do with me viewing the classroom as a good training ground for a future ‘Stand-Up Comedy’ career that never panned out for me. But we all know what a “teacher’s pet” is and many tend to resent them when it becomes blatant. As a former school teacher myself, ( I know, ironic, is it not?)...I felt like I always tried to get along with and treat every student the same. Do we naturally tend to relate to some people easier than others? I would say so. I sure hope I was never accused of having ‘pets’ or ‘favorites’ when I taught, but maybe some perceived that? I just don’t know. 

 But boy...how many of us have ‘pet sins’ we hate to let go of? 

Yes, you read that correctly...’pet sins’, areas in our life that we are reluctant to repent of so that we don’t do them anymore. And think about it - if we’ve been taught that it really doesn’t matter whether we turn from ‘all’ our sins or not, and that we have a ‘guaranteed room’ waiting for us in heaven, then why would it really matter? It’s sort of like that example I have used in the past where a student receives an acceptance letter into a four-year university...the diploma does not come with it. They receive that if they begin, continue on, and complete the course work. I know this skirts close to a thin line where some might see this as teaching that our salvation is ‘performance based’...of which it is not. 

But could obedience not figure into any of this? Does faith not equal or lead to ‘obedience’? (Heb. 5:9; 3:18; Luke 6:46; James 2:14-22) As in “Those who endure to the end shall be saved.” -Jesus (Matt. 24:13) 

I would be willing to guess that right now, some of you reading this may have felt a stab of conviction as the Holy Spirit just shone some light on one of those areas in your heart. (And you thought you never heard the voice of God.) ;-) 

I want to direct our attention now to Matt. 19 & Mark 10 and revisit the familiar story of our young, rich ruler who had obviously heard about Jesus and what He was teaching. So he came in a respectful and inquisitive manner wanting to know more about this ‘eternal life’ and how he might obtain it. And do you recall where Jesus points him to? - The Law.   He said...”If you want to enter in to life, keep the commandments.” (Matt. 19:17). That is rather interesting, is it not? Why bring the ‘law’ into this?  Do you think Jesus then looked around, winked at the young man and whispered to him, “Just wait a bit longer and all you will need to do then is walk an aisle, say a prayer, make a profession of faith saying you believe in Me, and then you will have eternal life,”?   I don’t think so. 

I see no indication of that nor any reason to suggest that message was relayed to him. And for the record, that was not the only time Jesus drew a connection to fulfilling the law and entering in to eternal life. You might look at Luke 10:25-28 as well. And since we are touching on this point, would you look up Rev. 12:17 and 14:12 to see if you notice any similar characteristics that define who the ‘saints’ are and what they do. Those too, are noteworthy. Oh, and let’s throw Rom. 2:13 in the mix as well. ;-) 

So back to our young rich ruler.  Jesus told him to ‘keep the commandments’ if he wanted to ‘enter into life’. 

The young man then asked: “Which ones?” (19:18) 

Jesus responds by listing several of them that I would think we are all familiar with...”don’t steal, don’t commit adultery, don’t lie...honor your father and mother...and love your neighbor as yourself’.” (18-19). Jesus did not list them all, but it was a good start, to which the young man quickly spoke up saying he had been keeping those ever since he was a young lad. Then, sensing he was soooo close to ‘qualifying’ or whatever it was he was anticipating as a reward of approval or acceptance, he then asked Jesus “What do I still lack”? This is where reading both gospel accounts is insightful because you get a clear picture of the message conveyed back to him.

“You lack just one thing...if you want to be...perfect...do this....”. Of course we then read where Jesus basically tells him to cut loose of all his earthly possessions, his wealth, position, and what all that may have included...sell it all...give it away...and come follow Him so he can have true treasures in heaven. (This does not imply that everyone who comes to Christ has to literally do this either. I’ve met people who teach that though.) 

The prophet Jeremiah declared that the heart of man is desperately wicked and deceitful...asking: ‘Who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9-10) We don’t even know what is in our hearts, (which is why John says we better not claim to ‘have no sin’ 1 John 1:8) but God knows our hearts. And Jesus was obviously peering in to this young ruler’s heart and saw a ‘pet sin’ that we would identify as greed or covetousness. You may also have recognized that tenth commandment was not brought up earlier in their conversation, the one about ‘thou shall not covet’. 

Do you know what has been quite the ‘eye-opening’ revelation to me in the past few years since God brought me out of my 'tomb of darkness'?  Now that He has my whole heart...I don’t find His commandments burdensome or grievous. I really, honestly do not. When the Holy Spirit started pointing out things in my heart that ‘needed to go’, I never balked, hesitated or wanted to renegotiate. As He began three years ago to fill my heart with His love, peace, and presence, there was nothing more that I wanted to do than to please Him.  I delight...to do His will! (Ps. 40:8)

John would write in his first epistle: “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.(5:3) 

I hesitate to use such a shallow and earthly example, but many of us can identify with how when you truly fell in 'love' with someone, there was a sense they ‘owned you’ (figuratively speaking) and you couldn’t do enough to please them and prove your love for them. How many of us have done crazy and outlandish things...to ‘prove our love’ for someone? What did Jesus say there in John 14:15? – “If you love Me...you will (do what?) ____________. 

Guess what...when you love God with ALL your heart, soul, mind, and strength [which sums up all of God’s law Matt. 22:36-40] you are ready to lay it all down and follow Him with ALL your heart. I would submit to you that until you reach that place of total, 100% surrender...that you can’t even ‘enter the ark’ and begin to ‘abide in Him’. Yes, you read that correctly. And for everyone who may have 'recoiled' at that statement, I am praying there are others who the 'light just came on' and it dawned on them that just maybe...that is why they have struggled so in their own walk of faith.  They just were 'not all in'.

And God will test your heart; you can count on it. (Deut. 8:2; 1 Thess. 2:4). Just like Jesus tested the heart of this young ruler. And guess what? This man failed the test. He had a ‘pet sin’ and was filled with sorrow and was grieved. He was not willing to lay it all down...and the result of his decision...disqualified him from entering in to true life that only comes through Jesus. 

People like to point to the story of the thief on the cross as if that is the ‘whole gospel’. That is a beautiful story, but if you want to see what the gospel message really is all about, it is laid out in this story of the young ruler. He turned, and walked away. And get this: Jesus did not run after him begging him to reconsider. The choice was made...just like we make our choices. 

There are certainly no shortage of ‘other gospels’ out there that will tell you differently, but you better make sure you know which one the ‘real’ Jesus is in the middle of. (2 Cor. 11:2-4; Luke 14:25-33) 

Let’s go back to the illustration I used comparing 'salvation' with  getting through college and ‘earning’ a degree and how some might see that as being ‘performance based. I understand why it can come across that way. But hang with me here. How many students have gone through their four + years of college courses only to get to the end and discover they were unable to graduate on time because they had either failed a course or two, or had not taken a couple of required credits? It happens more than you would think. (Sort of like Matt. 7:21-23?) So let me tweak this some... [And we do NOT ...'earn' our salvation!]

This ‘journey’ we embark on that we call a ‘walk of faith’ that leads to salvation (1 Pet. 1:3-9) is a walk that you nor I have even the slightest possibility of finishing... without Jesus walking us through it. As in - Zero. Nada. Not a ‘bat’s chance in...Hades’. Think of beginning this ‘journey’ with a ‘tutor’ who will be by your side from day one and be with you every single day...until you ‘walk that stage’ and receive your ‘diploma’. In fact, He will be the one who will most likely present it to you. You may even hear Him say: “Well done good and faithful servant...enter in to the joy of your Lord”. (Matt. 25:23) 

Keep in mind...this ‘tutor’...is not just some far-off distant figure that you ‘touch base with weekly’ or maybe twice a week. He wakes up with you in the morning and is there with you and the end of the day when you lay your head to sleep. If you plan on getting through this...you better get used to Him. ;-). And this will not prove to be a challenge...IF...you love Him with all your heart. I promise. ;- ). Here’s the nice thing about all this...Do you want to talk about ‘guarantees’ and ‘eternal security’? IF....you stick with Him...you got it! He promises that you can do this through Him (Phil. 4:13; Rom. 8:37) and that the work He begins In you will be completed. (Phil. 1:6). Why this ‘guarantee’ comes with this promise of “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5). Now that is not to say that you might not choose to turn away from Him and walk with Him no more. That happens more than you would like to think. (John 6:66) And that never ends well; believe me. (1 Cor. 10:5-11; Heb. 3:12-4:1)

You should also be reminded that there will be tests. Lots of them...and ‘fiery’ ones too. (James1:2-4; 1 Pet. 4:12-13) No need to stress...He is right there with you during those...and He knows all the ‘answers’ so best pay attention to Him. (Isa. 43:1-2) 

I have no doubt there are some reading today whose ‘Christian walk’ may resemble enduring a 15-round heavyweight boxing match and you have been knocked down on your face at the end of each round, yet somehow able to drag yourself back up in time...to go one more round. But you are not sure how many more rounds you have left in you. Be encouraged...this is not about dragging yourself up anymore and trying harder. I promise. 

 Join me tomorrow? ;-)