Mark 10: 17 – 31 – “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’…

Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’ The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 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.’ The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’… But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

As Jesus was headed to Jerusalem for His crucifixion he was met by a wealthy young man. He asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life”? Like so many today he believed that eternal life was something that had to be earned rather than the gift that Jesus had shared previously.

It is apparent that Jesus had great compassion for the young man. Mark paints a picture of a very sincere young man who was willing to do most anything to obtain it. However, when Jesus said to sell everything he owned and give it to the poor it exposed the one thing that will keep many out of heaven. It was his love for money and material things. His many assets had become his idol. Too often wealth determines who we are, what we have accomplished and the many successes we have had. He had broken the commandment that says we shall have no other God before me.

Jesus realized that the wealth was more important to the man than God. The selling of all his possessions, of course, would not earn or guarantee him eternal life. Being obedient, by selling, was only a step in becoming completely committed to becoming a follower of Christ. The young man went away sad because the price was just too high to pay.

Do we have any unrealized idols that we have put before our love of God that could possibly keep us out of heaven? Money is only one example. It could even be our life-style. Are there things that make us too self-sufficient?

Jesus continues with a Jewish proverb describing something that is impossible by using, “It is harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.”

Like most of us the disciples were amazed and asked: “Who then can be saved?” As I have stated in a previous blog nothing in Scripture indicates that God opposes successful careers, wealth, position or the pursuit of personal interest, recreational or otherwise. What He does oppose are those who have a problem with humility, those refusing to be submissive to His will and our unwillingness to serve others. It is those who have hate in their heart, ones who refuse to forgive others and any not having a love for their neighbor. Jesus assured the disciples that what man could not do, nothing was impossible for God. Salvation is equally available to everyone. For it is by grace that we are saved through faith and it is not our doing. It is a gift from God.

Jesus ends by stating that those who are saved and have placed their wealth, talents and achievements between them and God may find little or no reward in heaven. Rewards in heaven are not given based on what we have gained on earth. Our rewards and what happens to us in heaven depends on our commitment to Christ, our love and service to others and where we have placed our treasures. Therefore, I believe we can conclude that it isn’t the wealth that makes it hard to enter heaven; it is what wealth can do to our attitude, motives and our character that can make it difficult.

Many Christians who find that they experience little, if any, difficulties in their lives seem to be on a proverbial “roll” and are spiritually mature and well able to deal with the world. It may be more of a fact that those who consistently experience smooth sailing are probably not growing toward spiritual maturity. Christians who try to serve God and honor Him in their lives, yet are continuously frustrated by setbacks and outright failures, probably are growing more toward spiritual maturity.

The reason for this is simple enough. Those who do nothing, never experience failure. Only those who try to accomplish something are more likely to experience failure. Then there is the matter of satanic influence. The fact is that Satan hates God and those who love and worship Him. Satan’s spiritual messengers concentrate on those who are growing spiritually. He doesn’t waste time trying to tempt or interfere with people who are spiritually sick or dying spiritually.

The most important lesson to learn about the conflict between one’s worldly nature (self-centered) and one’s spiritual nature (God-centered) is to stop struggling. This is precisely what all Christians must do, especially those who are aggressive and goal oriented. The fact is that Christians can be assured that no matter how successful they might be at turning situations over to the Holy Spirit for guidance they will, from time to time, experience their worldly nature competing to make decisions. When this happens they will be tempted to do one of two things: give in to one’s self-centered nature or fight it. Either way they may lose.

Paul describes his struggles and underscores the hopelessness of trying to become spiritual using one’s own strength or will power. It just can’t be done. Those who have gone through the struggles and given up are often amazed when they discover that giving up is the first step toward winning the struggle. Romans 8:2 – “because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”

This brings us to the pivotal question that every Christian must ask. “Am I willing to make an all-out commitment to serve Christ, no matter what and let the Holy Spirit guide every aspect of my life, at home, school or work?” At the same time we must realize that our worldly nature will raise its ugly head often and we will have to make a choice.

I have witnessed the downfall of too many Christians to not realize that with many, life is made up of daily struggles or do I downplay the seriousness of negative influences. Failures may be self-inflicted or circumstantial. No two Christians are defeated in precisely the same way, yet there is a definite pattern to the traps they fall into. Curiously, the four most common traps are directly related to both our earthly natures and our spiritual natures. Depending on the circumstances, each of the four can be either a strength or a weakness.

First, we have the need to be loved. We can receive that love from God or allow our worldly natures to lead us into temptations. Second, we have a need to belong and be accepted. Who best can meet this need: the world or the church? Third, we need to have an identity or be someone. Are we working to let the world define who we are or are we willing to allow God to define us as one of His children? Fourth, everyone needs to have a purpose in life. Is our purpose a career success, financial rewards or reaching the top of the corporate ladder? Nothing in Scripture indicates that God opposes successful careers, wealth, position or the pursuit of personal interests, recreational or otherwise. However, our true purpose is to serve God by living a holy life, being accountable to and dependent upon Him and living at peace with others. We must never let our guard down as the enemy will tempt us through one or more of our God-given needs. If we allow our worldly nature to fulfill these needs we could end up separated from God.

As long as we allow the Holy Spirit and our spiritual nature to control who we are and determine our life’s purpose we will have the strength to meet each of the needs we so desperately seek. At the same time we will be protected from the enemy. Most often we fail by using human methods to fulfill spiritual needs that can only be fulfilled by the Lord Himself.

My last blog: “Does Jesus talk to you?” needs additional consideration. Lu Bowen’s comment testified that Jesus talked to her but she was afraid to discuss it with anyone because they thought she was a crazy woman. Lu said: “But…how do you explain that you hear God like he was standing next to you and feels more real than any other relationship in life?”

It was discussed Friday morning in our Men’s Bible study and again in our family’s Bible study. One from our group, John Rasmussen, said Jesus talked to him and he gave a number of examples. As usual, my family wanted me to explain it. At that point I was not sure what the explanation was.

Now this is how God talks to me: We started reading Scripture for our morning study and we happened to be at 1 Corinthians 12:8 – 11 – “To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” When we read that I said: “I believe this is our answer. Scripture is telling us it has to be a gift.” Some people can hear an inner voice, I believe the Holy Spirit, as if someone were standing next to them. It may not be audible but there is no question in their mind that Jesus is talking to them.

Later in the day I called John Rasmussen and discussed it further. He said that he believed that Jesus talks to many committed Christians but not everyone is listening. To most other Christians He communicates in a different way. Over the years I have done a lot of writing. There have been times when thoughts would enter my head and I would write it down and then ask: “Where did that come from?” There was no doubt in my mind that it was Holy Spirit inspired.

Friday morning when we just happened to read 1 Corinthians 12:8 – 11, I had to believe that some have the gift of “hearing Jesus” and it may come under “miraculous powers” or “distinguishing between spirits” just like some have an usual gift of wisdom or faith. What I learned from all of this is, if anyone is hearing the Holy Spirit talking to them don’t be afraid to share with others that you hear Jesus talking to you. There are some of us who will confirm that you are not crazy, just blessed. And if Jesus is talking to you, you don’t have to worry about where you will be spending eternity. If that doesn’t make your faith “sky high” nothing will! To each one of you, God has given a very special gift. And if you have it, it is to be used as a witness to His glory just like those young missionary ladies are doing…not meaning that you need to become a traveling missionary.

P.S…A word of caution: We must know the difference between the two kinds of spirits. It is important to recognize when we are being guided by the Holy Spirit and when we might be led astray by evil. We are well aware that some hear the voice of demons. As a result, they do things that are completely against Scripture. There are times when Christians feel the Holy Spirit is leading them to do a particular ministry, go into a particular business or pursue an occupation only to fail miserably. Unless you are able to “distinguish between the spirits” you must proceed carefully. We must be like sheep who can recognize the Master’s voice and follow Him only! And we have been talking about those who know His voice and results have proven it.