to enter into 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 into the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:24,25
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Because of the abundant mercy of God, we have a LIVELY hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And of what do we have a hope? "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you..." We just can't seem to get a grip on that, can we? We are so limited by our carnal natures, our finite minds, we just cannot get a grip on what that phrase means: "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you".
What was that all about? Is the Word of God saying that rich people (as the world defines "rich people") cannot enter heaven?
And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into 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 into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Mark 10:17-27.(See also Matthew 19:16-26 and Luke 18:18-27.)
Even though we know that only one thing goes beyond the grave, and that is the eternal soul, people continue to grasp and claw to get all the material possessions they possibly can. If we are not VERY careful, despite what we profess, we will find ourselves with a whole lot of nothing, and none of the everything that we must have: Salvation through Jesus Christ. The world marks "success" by the material possessions of a person. I want you to understand this: we are rich beyond measure if we have been born again through Salvation in Jesus Christ, because we have an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for us.
Allow me to go a step further with that, please; it is vital that you understand this--it has been so twisted and perverted by those professing to preach (teach) the gospel! It is NOT our works (that which we do in both action and deed) that save us, that secure our eternity with Jesus Christ! However, when we are saved, (born again into the family of God), that which we do must be good! Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17. Before we were saved, that which we did was not (necessarily) good. Yet when we are made a new creature in Christ, our hearts, minds, AND actions change! If we continue on in darkness and evil deeds, we've NOT been changed! Grace is NOT a license to continue on in sin's darkness! When we've been changed by salvation through Jesus Christ, it will show in all that we speak and do!
So if you've been thinking that you can "get saved" and continue doing all that you did before, rethink it! We had works in our lives before we were saved--we will have works in our lives after we are saved. Yet SALVATION changes those works! It is through our works that we lay up treasures in heaven. Works? Yes, works: witnessing of Christ, encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ, praying, studying--that which we do. The works of darkness (sin) we once did are replaced through SALVATION with works of good, ALL for the GLORY of WHO? Who? That's right, ALL for the GLORY of GOD!
Jeremiah 9:23,24 tells us: Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth ME, THAT I AM THE LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. Hebrews 1:1-3, 2:1-3.Therein lies the problem: we are not willing to suffer, to let go of the things of this world, to follow Him. The young ruler who came and knelt before Christ had spent a lifetime obeying the commandments--the scriptures tell us that Jesus looked on him and loved him. Jesus knew he was pure in heart--but you see, for whatever his reasons, he wasn't willing to suffer with Christ--he wasn't willing to give up that which he possessed and take up the cross and follow Jesus.
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:13-18.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:24-26,33.The fact that the children of God have an inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, is not a license to sit down, fold our hands and wait for the blessings of God to fall into our lap. We, too, must be about our Heavenly Father's business on this earth. We then, as workers together with him... (II Corinthians 6:1) are directed to Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. (Luke 14:23).
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Romans 12:9-17.And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. I Thessalonians 4:11,12. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. I Timothy 5:8. However, in going about our day-to-day business, in providing for our family, we are not to let the lust of the eyes cause us to neglect our salvation. Sadly, too many do just that and while they obtain great earthly wealth, they enter eternity spiritually bankrupt, without God.
If we could just get a mindset on the things of God, of putting Him FIRST in our lives, we'd not be so worried about owning as much of this world. We'd have more time for the things of God, if we were just willing to live more simply. You see, the Word of God tells us, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19. Of course, the word there is "need"; we are NOT willing to settle for our needs being met, we insist on our wants.
Of course, we have to believe His Word, and accept His promises to us. If our hopes, all that we believe in, are pinned on things of this world, we are in BIG trouble. For this world contains thieves, and corruption, pestilence and catastrophic disasters. Yet God has not, cannot, and will not fail. His promises to us are everlasting to everlasting: For I am the Lord, I change not... Malachi 3:6. Yes, as a child of God, we are truly rich beyond measure. We don't have to worry about time limits on His promises, and the return on any investments we make with Him are awesome: if we do as He bids us to do, we can ...prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:10,11.
If you have been saved by Grace, through salvation in Jesus Christ, you are rich beyond measure. If you can feel the Holy Spirit working in your life, you are rich beyond measure. If you have Christian friends to lift you in prayer and counsel you in the things of God, you are rich beyond measure. If you waken with God's unspeakable joy in your heart, you are rich beyond measure. When you can smile, despite whatever storms you are facing, you are rich beyond measure. If you have sustenance for your body and clothes on your back, you are rich beyond measure. If you know without a doubt that all is well with your soul, you are rich beyond measure. I'm telling you, you are indeed
"Rich Beyond Measure" Copyright © 2001 by Patricia Sikes.
All Rights Reserved.
If you have been blessed, give God the Glory!
Please sign our guestbook; let us know you enjoyed
"Rich Beyond Measure".
Thank you so much for visiting He Is Able!
ALL material on He Is Able is protected by copyright.
