quote: "You said "The young ruler did not need faith because he was rich."Again - NO one can please God without faith.Even Christ Himself lived a "life of FAITH"______________________________________________I agree 100%. My point was that the young ruler's attitude was that since he was rich he was self-reliant, not God reliant. Jesus knew he lacked faith so told him to take a drastic action that would develop his faith right quick.
_________________Todd
In Luke 14:33 Jesus said, "..In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples."Jesus not only told the rich guy to sell all but He also said, "come follow me". These things also remind me of the widow who "put in all she had to live on"And now I think of it James' comments about Abraham. "His faith and actions were working together."
_________________Andrew Wales
TMK,You brought up some really great thoughts to wake up our thinking.Calling Peter,John,....to come ..follow ME,and looking at their response,......******* IMEDIANTLY ***** they put down their nets,and ( obeyed ),***** FOLLOWED ***** Him.I never thought of this being similar to the rich man.I was thinking on THIS most vital Word,...'FAITH',... And also Abraham,...he was required of,and WHAT a request it was !And WHAT FAITH he had !Faith: Hearing The Voice of God,...believeing it was The Voice of God,and Obeying.'The faith of Jesus,'...Hearing the Voice of His Father,knowing it was The Voice of God, and obeying.Blessings this day,-------------------elizabeth
Amen! Amen! Amen!This "immediately" stuff is spot on! Very good observations of wether the heart positions were tender or tough-Got me to thinking.... "And Abraham arose "early" (immediately) the next morning gathering up Isaac and headed up the mountain". He didn't give himself over to deliberation because every moment he didn't respond would've made it harder to act in faithful obedience and we kno that it was credited to him as righteousness. Another interesting contrast of the rich young ruler is found in the next chapter where his unwillingness to part from his goods is in sharp contrast with another wealthy young Jewish man, Zacchaeus whom without even being asked to do so willingly and joyfully (immediately) parted with his goods,...and Jesus said; "verily I say unto you for today salvation has come to this house". And the wisdom displayed by brother Marks grandmother would be useful for us all to apply in a myriad of ways:) Making a practice of denying oneself would seem to prepare us to better obey the Lord~
_________________Fletcher
