Day 27. Not Far from the Kingdom
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"Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," He said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow me." Mark 10:21
Our Lord's answer to the young man's question is very instructive. What is the one thing which, besides all we can do for ourselves by obedience and cultivation of character — makes one a Christian? It is important to be able to answer this question, for it is often asked. A man says: "I live as well as Christians do. I attend church; I keep the commandments; I am kind to my family and generous to the needy and poor; I live conscientiously in all things. What do I lack?"
What shall we answer him? Shall we tell him to sell his farm of his property — and give all he has to the poor? Was that the one essential thing in the Master's counsel to this young man? No! the essential thing was following Christ; the selling and giving away were but parts of this. The young mans heart was attached to his wealth, and the "one thing" was to take Christ — instead of his wealth. So we should answer our inquirer by telling him that he must receive Christ as his Saviour and Lord, that he must lay his money and all that he has — at Christ's feet, to be used only for Him and as He directs, and must take Christ as his sole portion forever.
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