https://odb.org/MY/2022/01/29/perfect-like-christ
Matthew 19:16-26 sets out an interaction between Jesus and a rich young ruler, the latter meaning someone with authority and wealth. So this young ruler asked Jesus what it takes to enter the Kingdom of God and Jesus replied, keep the commandments. But the young ruler pressed Jesus for more and Jesus answered, to be perfect (meaning complete or in maturity), he should sell all of his possessions and give to the poor. Jesus then ended that discourse by telling the disciples that it is difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God and even easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. But He said, even though with man it is impossible, with God all things are possible.
People had used this passage to contend that therefore it is better to be poor than rich because it is quite impossible for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God. Actually I think it doesn’t matter whether we are poor or rich because in the end, we are not able to fulfil God’s criteria for righteousness on our own as a human being. Salvation is by grace and not works. It is a gift of God. On our own, whether we are rich or poor, of high standing in the church or not, socially held in high esteem or not, of high academic qualifications or not, holding a high position in the government or at the private sector or run a successful business or not, or whether our parents and grandparents were diligent servants of God or missionaries – we, on our own, can never enter the Kingdom of God. It is only through the sacrifice of Jesus, His blood that was shed on the cross of Calvary that God is able to look past our sin and iniquities and accept us as unblemished. When Jesus said that it is impossible with man but all things are possible with God, He was actually talking about Himself being the ultimate Lamb of God to die for the sins of mankind as He alone was without sin and blemish to be the Lamb to atone and redeem mankind from the first sin of Adam.
So in this era of the church in the last days, is it true that the rich and powerful and successful will find it difficult to enter the Kingdom of God? Do we have to sell all our possessions, resign from our jobs, give up our businesses in order to enter the Kingdom of God? Surely not! As we are not relying on ourselves but Jesus to gain admission and acceptance in the Kingdom of Heaven. Remember it is impossible for us to go in on our own steam, on our own merit. We must thus be forever grateful to Jesus for opening the door to us and inviting us into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Having said that, I think that for maturity and perfection, there could still be elements in our lives that hinder us from growing more into His glory and those are the things we must look out for. Maybe it’s our wealth, our pride in our jobs or position, our success in ministry, our office as a pastor or elder or deacon or leader of a church. Everything we have, be it material wealth or fame or power or talents and position, use it wisely for the purposes of the Kingdom lest these things prevent us from being the person God had planned for and wants us to be in Him. Don’t let these trivial things cloud our judgment and distract us from the real issues at hand. Keep on walking the narrow path and keep our eyes on Jesus, the perfector and finisher of our faith!
Ronnie's Thoughts 