Thursday, May 24, 2012

You Can't Take It With You

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/e-boasting
This morning I read the account in Luke 16 about Lazarus and the rich man. So much has struck me this morning.

What truly struck me that Lazarus, a man, a beggar covered, had nothing. Yet, he was a believer, and therefore had everything.

What else struck me was that the rich man, who too the world then and now, would have seemed to have everything, truly had nothing at all.

I am reminded of a choiral piece I have sang before, "You can't take it with you Brother Will, Brother John."

Christian, no matter what the world says, you have all you need in Christ.
Paul wrote in Philippians 3:7 " But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ."

In the context of that verse Paul starts rattling off what was to his gain.

"If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law,faultless." Philippians 3:5-6

In other words, Paul was "the man!" He had all he needed to be well liked and popular among the people of that time.

This is what the rich man didn't know. That worldly treasure is bound in this world.

This hits home with the young people of this age.

How long do we spend on Twitter or Facebook, trying to bind treasures on this earth that in the end will not matter?

What are you binding in heaven? Is Christ your treasure?

Lazarus had his treasure in Heaven. He now stands in God's presence where this is "no sorrow, pain and there tears are wiped away" (Rev. 21:4)

While the rich man sits in a real place. Hell. A place of agony and torment, forever. (Luke 16:23-26) This account is not a parable, and is not within the context to be one. Look at what follows and preludes it. Real, non parable, teachings on divorce (Luke 16:18) and sin (Luke 17:1-4).

If all we consider important is the glory of self-gratification and self exaltation we don't know glory.

"There is a way that seems right to man, but the end there of is death." (Prov. 14:12)

The world will tell us that we okay as long as we are "good people" or as long as we do "good works". The world will tell you too live life your way, cause each mans way is right.

God standard is different. "Be perfect therefore, as your Father is perfect." ~Matthew 5:48

You must be perfect! But, the Bible says that in fact, none of us are good and none of us are perfect. (Romans 3:10-18)

"All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

Bad news right? Yes. But, there is good news.

God made a way of salvation through Jesus Christ.

"God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood —to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished — he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." ~Romans 3:25-26

Jesus Christ lived the perfect life we couldn't, then He set His face toward the cross and scorned the shame of dieing. He, who was God, became obedient to death. A great extange took place on the cross. Jesus took our sins upon Himself and in return offers us His perfect record before God, if we receive it.

How do we receive forgiveness of sins through Christs perfect life?

We turn from our sins, and Trust in Christ.

But ,what is even more amazing is that this is impossible in our own power. We are hostile to God and His ways in our natural state because of sin. (Romans 8:7) God has to change our hearts.

God will come in, and change the hearts of man, give forgiveness of sin and adopt you as His child if you will cry out to God in repentance and put your faith in Christs work on the Cross.

This is the Love of God.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and Only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." ~ John 3:16

The love of God, through Christ, is imperishable. The earthly things we own will perish when we do. But the Bible says that to be away from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) And that when He man dies God is going to judge Him. (Hebrews 9:27)

How would you do? Where is your trust today? In self, or in God, who is just, but also rich in mercy to save you of your sins.

Repent and Trust in Christ today if you haven't.

And if you are a Christian today, let the hope of the Gospel work through your life. Reach out and "snatch others from the fire and save them" ~Jude 22 Because all men die and if they had one last thing to tell you they would say, don't miss Heaven.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."~Romans 5:6-8

God Bless!

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