The Strait Gate Versus Broadway. Part [14] 03/11/2024 (Evening thought)

Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

The Scriptures, and the servant of The Lord make 3 critically important points upon the ways the young man came to his final conclusion and decision. Here they are: [1] He became sad. [2] Satan was tempting him with flattering prospects of the future. [3] He was sorry that such conditions existed. Let’s take the first one: “He became sad” Question: Why would he become sad?

Answer: He became sad after weighing the pros and cons of the strait gate, just like Asaph did and he concluded that he would be put at a great disadvantage, if he were to accept the terms and conditions Christ laid out. In other words, he concluded that he was given a raw deal that would greatly impede his progress and success in this life. Therefore, we have to pose this question to the you and me in the here and now:

Is it true, that in choosing to walk the strait gate that one’s progress, success, and overall development or advancement in this life would be greatly impeded? If we were to conclude yes, then like Asaph, and the rich young ruler we would be in danger of becoming sad. The truth of the matter is that Christ was only asking the young man to rearrange his priorities in the right order, for whenever, and wherever this is done there ain’t no stopping the Christian in this life or in the life to come, as far as progress, success, or advancement goes.

2nd Peter1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

The Strait Gate Versus Broadway. Part [13] 03/10/2024 (Morning thought)

Matthew 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

A very interesting and very important commentary is made on this situation that obtained as Christ laid out the terms, and conditions of discipleship to this particular young man, and it is worth the time, and the effort to unpack the truth in the matter so that we may understand why Christ spoke to Him, the words that He did.

[The Desire of Ages pp 520] The ruler was quick to discern all that Christ's words involved, and he became sad. If he had realized the value of the offered gift, quickly would he have enrolled himself as one of Christ's followers. He was a member of the honored council of the Jews, and Satan was tempting him with flattering prospects of the future.

He wanted the heavenly treasure, but he wanted also the temporal advantages his riches would bring him. He was sorry that such conditions existed; he desired eternal life, but he was not willing to make the sacrifice. The cost of eternal life seemed too great, and he went away sorrowful; “for he had great possessions.

Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!