When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Luke 18:22 [ESV]
Today was a long day. Got up at 6:00am and made it to church for a meeting at 7:00am. Here I sit at 12:34am after a long day at work. The passage I read today was a discussion between Jesus and a rich ruler. This conversation has many times been taken too literally like you and I might have a discussion…However, what we see is a dialog rooted from a knowledge Jesus had of the man’s heart. All of His questions and suggestions were made to cause the man to reflect on his own words and intentions.
When I look at my own walk and deeply search my own heart as I read God’s Word, I am constantly reminded of my own ‘smallness’ relative to God’s greatness and mercy. When I allow myself to be revealed in my sin and fleshly thoughts, I am convicted almost every time I sit in the presence of my Lord and Savior through His Holy Spirit; being washed in the cleansing Living Word of His instruction and correction. There is no greater builder of faith than to see God break me and then mold me into He wants me to be. After all, He knows my heart better than I know myself.
Living, praying, and studying in the Spirit always results in a continuing sanctification that is a most confirming faith; spurning me on to persevere toward the day that I will have finished my race. Hebrews 12:1 & 2.