Luke 18:18-27
- We learn to what lengths men may go in self-ignorance.
- We learn what harm one master-sin may do to a soul.
- We learn how great is the difficulty of a rich man being saved.
- We learn how mighty is the power of God's grace.
"No man really taught of the Spirit will ever talk of having "kept all God's commandments from his youth.""
"There must be no reserve in our hearts, if we would receive anything at Christ's hands. We must be willing to part with anything, however dear it may be, if it stands between us and our salvation."
"Let us beware of envying rich men and coveting their possessions. We little know what we might come to if our desires were granted. Money, which thousands are constantly wanting and longing for--money, which many make their god--money keeps myriads of souls out of heaven!"
"It matters not what our income may be, whether we are burdened with riches, or pinched with poverty. Grace, and not place, is the hinge on which our salvation turns. Money will not keep us out of heaven if our hearts are right before God."
Questions:
1. We learn in these verses of the ignorance that can exist in regards to the law, which was not meant to make us feel good about ourselves, but rather expose our inability to keep it. Do we, as Paul says to Timothy, use the law lawfully? Do we read the commandments and feel encouraged or do we come face-to-face with an impossible standard?
2. We learn the frightening truth that someone may be upright and desire to give everything for Christ, but can be ultimately lost due to the love of master-sin. What are the sins that cling so closely to us like Hebrews 12 says? What is their comparison to the gift of eternal life?
3. We are warned, among other things, that a rich person has increased problems due to many friends who tend to flatter and not call out faults and errors. Do we have friends, rich or not, who love us enough to speak the truth in love? If so, do we tend to see these actions as love or get offended by them?
4. We are told that nothing is impossible with God, and that grace, not place, is the hinge of our salvation. If we have riches or high positions, do we have a right heart regarding these things? Are we using them to serve Christ and His kingdom, or ourselves? May our lives reflect the grace of God for our joy and His glory!
