From My Heart 2 Your Hear; The Choice That Must Be Made, A Change Must Come!! It’s really interesting that Luke records this story of Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus just shortly after he had the encounter with another rich man. You can go back just a few verses in your Bible from the Zacchaeus story to Luke 18:18-27. You’ll find this story of the ruler who came to Jesus and asked, “Good teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus told him, “Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and come, follow me.” As Jesus watches the back of the rich man walking away sorrowfully he says, “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.” Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Then Luke records this story of another rich man, Zacchaeus, who demonstrates what is possible with God! He was freed from greed to live generously; he was delivered from perpetrating injustice to promoting justice; he was lifted from the path that leads to destruction and led on the path of eternal life. What is the difference in these two rich men? Both men sought Jesus. Both demonstrated the first step toward new life: seeking Jesus. If we really want the power to change, we need to devote time and energy to getting closer to Jesus. What is it that helps you go deeper in your relationship with Christ? Spending time with the scriptures, spending time in prayer, reaching out to meet the needs of others in his name? Our first step is to make growing in Christ a priority in our lives. It’s out of that relationship that the power for change comes. It’s his Holy Spirit living in us that is the power. The second step is to prayerfully listen for direction. In faith, we do the next thing Jesus tells us to do. Any move toward new life is going to seem risky. Our part is to take that step, trusting that God will be there to provide whatever is needed. Both rich men sought Jesus. Here is the difference: one did the next thing Jesus told him to do; the other did not. One, in faith, made an outrageous response and received outrageous freedom and joy. The other went away stuck and sorrowful. What about you? Jesus really sees you. He knows your heart. He knows what will set you free. He knows what will move you toward wholeness. He knows what will get you unstuck and lead you on the path to abundant life now. He knows how you can become effective for him. Will you take that next step today? Today salvation can come to your house.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 05:27:33 +0000