How Faith Works ...

Tuesday, Oct 1, 2013. We have started to talk about rules and what they mean for faith. Following rules will not lead you into heaven. Following rules is not bad - but it is only a small part of what faith is about! Let us listen to Jesus in action:

The Rich Young Man …

17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him,3 “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10, 17-27)

What does Jesus want? …

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Jesus is talking to the idealistic young man. He is searching God, he wants to be with God. He has come to Jesus and is asking him: what should I do. And Jesus discovers, that he kept the law already. He has followed the rules, which God himself has given, his basic guidelines for a good life.

But when Jesus comes closer to him (he loved him), he discovers that the heart of this young man is not free. Probably Jesus knew that from the very first moment. This man is bound by all the possessions, which he has. He is not free for God, and that is one of the reasons that he is here. He did not find the Lord yet, he has not yet entered. He follows the rules, but has not learned what faith is about: living a life which has God in the center. Giving our heart to the Lord.

As long as we have many possessions, as long as we are dedicated to things which keep us away from the Lord, we will have difficulties to open our heart fully to him. Jesus does not say that it will never happen - everything is possible for God. But it is a step deep inside our heart and our mind. (Roland Potthast) ... more texts