As I listened to my pastor preach on Facebook live this morning I found myself sketching out his words. Words that held great truth and wisdom so I thought I’d share them with you!
The above door is in my hallway and, if you were to open it in real life blankets might fall on you!!!
However, we’re going to pretend that the door really opens to Jesus. To eternal life. To all of the beauty of the Christian life.
We stand in this hall and the only thing stopping us from opening the door is the door knob and the hinges.
However, spiritual doors can’t be opened by human means. They must be opened with obedience to the Word of God!
Let’s consider Matthew 19:16-22.
A rich young man wants eternal life (to be a Jesus follower) so he asks Jesus how to accomplish that. I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume that this man believed in Jesus! If he didn’t he would have been asking advice from the priest.
The rich young ruler had followed step one of finding eternal life. I think on the door this would be the door knob!
Step one: Believe in Jesus
If you believe in Jesus, and express that belief with your mouth, then you’re turning the door knob to eternal life.
BUT, the rich young ruler knew there was more to eternal life in the Kingdom of God than just believing in Jesus. After all, the demons themselves believe in Jesus (James 2:19).
Dialogue continues between Jesus and the young man, and Jesus basically asks if he’s keeps Moses’ commandments.
Sure enough, we find that he hasn’t murdered, lied, committed adultery, or stolen. Additionally, he honors his parents and loves other as himself.
Step 2: Love others as yourself.
Easy peasy for the young man. He’s a “good person” and that door hinge can open to his salvation easily.
Still, he seems to know there’s something missing in his life, that one hinge to the door is still not opening, because he asks Jesus, “What do I still lack?'” (Matthew 19:20).
Jesus’ response breaks the heart of the young man. He must sell off all that he owns and follow Jesus. He must put God first.
Step 3. Put God FIRST!
That broke the young man’s heart. It was the one thing he couldn’t do. You must understand that Jesus had nothing against money but he knew that money owned that young man’s heart!
To have the Kingdom of God, heaven, a life with Christ…Christ must be first! He can never be second. We must be second.
Unless we put him first, which usually involves changing our ways, we can never have the fullness of him.
That door hinge will jam and the door will never completely open.
Today, I’m encouraging you to look at your life.
If you’ve never confessed that Jesus is Lord please do so. If you don’t believe He is then I challenge you to open a Bible and prove me wrong! You must read the ENTIRE THING!
If you believe Jesus is Lord but you’re breaking the Bible’s rules and statutes it’s time to change. Understand, that Jesus’ “no’s” are not to be mean! Quite the opposite, they are to keep you happy and safe.
If you believe Jesus, repent of sin and change your sinful ways then the door is almost open.
The only other thing that eternal life hinges on in God first! I encourage you to search and kick idols off the throne of your heart. Only Jesus will do!
Once that step is done the door will swing wide open. You’ll find peace you’ve never known. You will be home!
**If you would like to listen to Pasor Jeff Byrd deliver the message that inspired this blog, and enjoy some great praise music, please follow this link https://www.facebook.com/271741338184/videos/516298259040723/
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