Mark Shutts Ministries

"Preaching and shewing the glad tidings
of the kingdom of God" Luke 8:1.

Well Jesus tells this rich young man that he must keep the commandments, and the ones He points out are the ones that have to do with our relationships with others - Thou shalt not commit adultery - Thou shalt not kill - Thou shalt not steal - Thou shalt not bear false witness - Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother,” - and the rich young ruler lifts his head in pride and says “I have kept these commandments all of my life” and Jesus said to him, “You lack one thing. Go and sell all that you have and give the money to the poor. And then take up your Cross, and follow Me.”

This young man was not a thief, he was not a murderer or an adulterer. He had morality. He could honestly say to Jesus “I have lived a clean life all of my days.” But it’s not a person’s goodness that saves them. This rich young ruler also came at the right time. The time to come to Christ is when you are young. The Bible says “remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Ninety five percent of those who become Christians do so before the age of twenty five. This young man had humility, (he came to Jesus and knelt before Him). He also fasted and tithed, and he came seeking the right thing - eternal life. He also came to the right place - he came to Jesus - the only one in all the world Who could give him what his heart hungered for. So then what did this rich young ruler do wrong? What was his sin? His sin - was his love of money. He didn’t want to give it up. He was breaking the first commandment, “Thou shalt have no other God’s before Me.” He wanted eternal life but he wanted it on his own terms. He rejected the only way of salvation because of his love for money. He had allowed it to become his God. Jesus offered this rich young man a home in Heaven. He told him that if he would follow Him he would have treasures in Heaven, but he rejected Jesus’ offer because he could not have it on his own terms. So the young man turned away from Jesus and it was all over in that one moment. He had made his decision. He had just made the biggest mistake of his life. And the Bible says that he walked away in sorrow. Many people in the world today are doing the very same thing, holding on to things of the world and in the process giving up eternal life. But it doesn’t have to be money it can be anything, anything at all that you give more prominence to and place ahead of Jesus Christ in your life.

Many people take very lightly the fact that Jesus is going to return. This great and wonderful promise is constantly at the forefront of my mind. Those who do not anxiously look forward to that day are those who are not ready for that day. And when He does return judgment will take place. Your life will be “weighed in the balances.” The Bible says that “God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man Whom He hath ordained” (Acts 17:31). We will be judged not only by those things that we did, but also by those things that we neglected to do. “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be”
(Revelation 22:12). Belshazzar neglected to heed the writing on the wall - he neglected to repent - and he paid the price. The rich young ruler refused to give up his love for money - and he paid the price. What about you? When that day comes and you are “weighed in the balances” will it show that Christ had first place in your life? Will it show that the way you lived was a proper pattern for others to follow? As a Christian the way that you live and the things that you do and say are of paramount importance. Many people will not read the Bible but they will read a Christian.

Are you prepared for that day? Are you prepared to be “weighed in the balances?” The Bible says that a wise person prepares for that day but the foolish ignore it and suffer the consequences. If you have not invited Jesus Christ into your heart and given Him first place in your life you can do that right now. It doesn’t matter who you are Jesus is waiting and ready to give you a brand new life. A life of hope and peace. A life filled with the assurance of your eternal home in Heaven. All you need to do is go to Him in prayer and say “Lord I know that I am a sinner. I come to you at the foot of your blood-stained Cross with all of my sins, repenting of my sins, and asking your forgiveness of my sins. I ask You to come into my heart and take complete control of my life. Guide me in the way of righteousness and give me the strength to follow You every day.” Jesus said that anyone who comes to Him in true repentance He will in no wise cast out - He will not turn you away. Don’t put it off another moment. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). Go to Him today and make sure that you are prepared to be “weighed in the balances.”

-Mark Shutts