Grant Abbott Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

Jesus is saying to his disciples that it is impossible for anyone to enter eternal life on their own terms. But "if it is God's will" then nothing will be impossible. 

The context of this statement is the story of the rich young man who is seeking eternal life on his own terms, by obeying the commandments. But he is very rich and his wealth has a great hold on his life. Jesus commands him to sell all his possessions and give his wealth to the poor, and then come and follow Jesus. But he can't do it; it's impossible for him to break the hold that his wealth has on his life. 

When we seek to have a relationship with God on our own terms, with our will in control, it is impossible, because we don't have the wisdom or power to make anything happen. We will be perpetually dissatisfied and unfulfilled. 

But once we surrender our will to Jesus will, then all things are possible with God. When we learn to embrace God's will for our lives, his plan and purpose for what he wants to accomplish "in, for and through" us in this world; then all things are possible with Jesus at our side.

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:12-14)

"You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." (James 4:2-3)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him." (Matthew 7:11)

When we are seeking God's will for our lives, instead of our own, Jesus is saying we already have what we are asking for, because nothing is impossible with God.

Do you believe it?

February 10 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Jesus was referring to a person not allowing anything (whether that would be material wealth, a life goal, or even humans such as family members) to become so important in the person's life that, if the person were confronted with an irreconcilable choice between giving that thing up or obeying and following God, the person would forsake God, thereby showing that he valued God less than the thing he did not want to give up (and that it was therefore his actual "god", regardless of what might say or profess).

Jesus was saying that only the presence and working of God in the person (rather than the person's reliance on any "human" quality) would allow the person to make the "impossible" choice of continuing to put God first in his life, regardless of the temptations or alternate objects of "worship" that might confront the person.

February 10 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Shirley H Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!

Something else. This is Jesus’ response to the rich young ruler. 

2 Kings 20:2, "Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in your sight." Hezekiah recognized all life is in God's hands and that He rewards those who are faithful.

2 Kings 19:15,..."You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth."

Genesis 18, Sarah and Abraham were well past the age of bearing children. Yet, in verse 3 the Lord has come to visit. Sarah (vs. 10) is listening at the tent door. Vs. 13, Sarah delights at the thought that she should have a child at her age!

Exodus 14:13 the children of Israel are trapped! Moses says, " Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today."

Jeremiah 27:4,5 "...Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel - thus you shall say to your masters: I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, and by My Great Power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper."

Jeremiah 32:17, "Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made heavens and earth by Your outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You."

Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Hebrews11:11, "By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised."

God is full of all Grace and power. God is the source of all life. God gave HIS ONLY SON, to die! God raised Him from the dead. This portion of scripture is about salvation. It is about enlightening understanding and regenerating a believer’s soul.

February 11 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report