THEN JESUS, LOOKING AT HIM, LOVED HIM, AND SAID TO HIM, "ONE THING YOU LACK: GO YOUR WAY, SELL WHATEVER YOU HAVE AND GIVE TO THE POOR, AND YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN; AND COME, TAKE UP THE CROSS, AND FOLLOW ME." BUT HE WAS SAD AT THIS WORD, AND WENT AWAY SORROWFUL, FOR HE HAD GREAT POSSESSIONS. (Mark 10:21-22)
The rich young ruler asked Jesus what he had do to inherit eternal life and Jesus told him to keep the commandments which the man said he'd been doing from his youth. What the man didn't realize though was that he was guilty of idolatry which Christ would show him a moment later when he referenced the command "YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME" by telling him to sell his possessions. The man went away sorrowful because he loved his possessions, his "stuff" became an idol to him, one he couldn't bear to part with. And because he couldn't bear to part with it he could never have the kind of relationship with Jesus his initial question suggested he wanted. Christ was telling him to let go of his reliance on "stuff" and rely solely on Him for all of his needs. Its the same thing He's been telling us since the day we responded to Him calling us out of darkness. And yet there are some who are still holding on tightly to things Christ has been trying to get them to relinquish. And they're not only holding on to them but they're also relying in them for their safety, security, joy, happiness, and pleasure. And it doesn't just have to be be things or stuff. It could be people, emotions, thoughts, anything. Today be honest with yourself. If you know there's something you're holding onto that's hindering your relationship with Jesus, something you're putting before Him, if you have an idol, let it go. Forget about what that thing does for you and how it makes you feel and if you do I assure you that the strengthened and renewed relationship with Christ that's going to develop will be much more beneficial than what you were holding on to. Let Go and Let God!
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