Jesus said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. And Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! "For 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." They who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But He said, "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God."
-Luke 18:18-27
-Luke 18:18-27
Many people devote their entire lives to the spending, saving, and making of money. While such success can give a feeling of accomplishment, it is usually short-lived. This is because we were created for something more. While money may satisfy for a short while, there is something better that will satisfy our soul for eternity.
God has made a way for us to have eternal life. Sin has been present in this world from the very first man and woman. We all mess up and do things contrary to God's word. This separates us from God, because he is holy and cannot be in the presence of sin. Thus, sinners must die and be eternally separated from God. Fortunately, being the sinners that we are, God did not end the story here.
God sent his son, Jesus, to die in our place. Jesus was fully God, yet fully man, as he walked on this earth in complete obedience to God. Jesus took the sins of the world on himself; all sins previously committed and those yet to happen; and died on a cross, delivering us from the wrath of God as it was poured out on him at his death, as only man could. As he died, he suffered our punishment as he experienced an eternity of hell in a finite amount of time, as only God could. However, death did not conquer Jesus. On the cross, Jesus triumphed over death, making a way for eternal life for the world, and rose from the grave to sit at the right hand of God the Father throughout eternity.
There is action required on our part. Understanding our sinfulness, we must acknowledge that we are nothing apart from Christ, and believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose again, bearing our punishment and delivering us from sin, we must allow him to rule supreme in our lives. This is where the problem lies for many people in this world. Things like money reign in our lives, gaining the top spot in our priorities and influencing our every decision. Money cannot deliver you from your sin, only Jesus can. Surrender your life to Christ, and the rest will fall into place. While life will still be full of struggles, you will know that you have an eternal protector and provider in Christ.
If you have never invited Jesus to rule your life, there would be no greater time than now. I would invite you to pray a simple prayer like the one listed below. However, special words or prayers are not the answer. The most important thing for you to do is to tell Jesus what is on your heart, just like you were talking to a friend. Words do not save you, but what is in your heart will.
God has made a way for us to have eternal life. Sin has been present in this world from the very first man and woman. We all mess up and do things contrary to God's word. This separates us from God, because he is holy and cannot be in the presence of sin. Thus, sinners must die and be eternally separated from God. Fortunately, being the sinners that we are, God did not end the story here.
God sent his son, Jesus, to die in our place. Jesus was fully God, yet fully man, as he walked on this earth in complete obedience to God. Jesus took the sins of the world on himself; all sins previously committed and those yet to happen; and died on a cross, delivering us from the wrath of God as it was poured out on him at his death, as only man could. As he died, he suffered our punishment as he experienced an eternity of hell in a finite amount of time, as only God could. However, death did not conquer Jesus. On the cross, Jesus triumphed over death, making a way for eternal life for the world, and rose from the grave to sit at the right hand of God the Father throughout eternity.
There is action required on our part. Understanding our sinfulness, we must acknowledge that we are nothing apart from Christ, and believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose again, bearing our punishment and delivering us from sin, we must allow him to rule supreme in our lives. This is where the problem lies for many people in this world. Things like money reign in our lives, gaining the top spot in our priorities and influencing our every decision. Money cannot deliver you from your sin, only Jesus can. Surrender your life to Christ, and the rest will fall into place. While life will still be full of struggles, you will know that you have an eternal protector and provider in Christ.
If you have never invited Jesus to rule your life, there would be no greater time than now. I would invite you to pray a simple prayer like the one listed below. However, special words or prayers are not the answer. The most important thing for you to do is to tell Jesus what is on your heart, just like you were talking to a friend. Words do not save you, but what is in your heart will.
Jesus, I know I have failed you. I am nothing without you. Thank you so much for your sacrifice on the cross to save me from my sins. I believe you have risen from the dead and live in heaven now, where I will see you one day. I could never repay you for the gift you have given me, but I can give my life to you. I ask that you rule over my life from today forward. I love you, and it is in your name that I pray. Amen.
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