All Things Possible

“The things that are impossible with people are possible with God” (Luke 18:27, NASB).

Can people change? Will my life always be as it always has been? A rich man once asked Jesus, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18) The Lord answered the question in accordance to His Jewish heritage, He reminded the rich man of God’s Commandments:

Do not commit adultery

Do not murder

Do not steal

Do not bear false witness

Honor your father and mother

The rich man responded, “All these things I have kept from my youth” (Luke 18:21).
Jesus then challenged the rich man: “One thing you still lack, sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Luke 18:22).
The rich man couldn’t do it. And he walked away.

Was the rich man really keeping God’s commandments? Could it be that his wealth became an idol? He was worshipping a false god? Yet, the rich man walked away.

Seeing this rich man clutching onto temporal treasures, Jesus said: “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” What a word picture! Camels simply cannot fit into the hole of a sewing needle.

The call of Christ would mean forsaking all for the sake of the kingdom of God. It would be a radical new way of thinking about important things, like money. Christ is not calling the rich man to live as a monk from the East, without money, without a job, only the robe of a holy man, and a bowl for alms. The rich man could still use his skills at generating wealth; yet, with a new purpose. Paul instructed: “He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need” (Eph. 4:28).

The rich man, however, simply walked away.

How hard it is to give up the former life. Yes, it does us no good to remain in darkness; yet, the realization of what it would take to enter into the light moves many fallen souls to retreat into the abyss. Can we change? Is it possible to break free from the avarice that binds us to treasure worthless treasures? “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God,” says Jesus Christ.

We say to ourselves “I can never do that”. Yes, there is greed and corruption in this world. The greed and corruption is not just some so-called 1%. Could anyone really take an honest look into his own life and find not an ounce of avarice? Yes, life is this way, but does it have to always have to be that way? Life can be different. God makes all things possible for us! In Christ we have eternal life, cleansing from sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and a call to ministry. We can be transformed. With God all things are possible.

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