In what ways might we mistakenly believe we are fulfilling God's requirements today? Setting the Scene “Teacher,” he replied, “all these I have kept from my youth.” (Mark 10:20) A sincere young man stands before Jesus, convinced he has checked every box on God’s list. Yet Jesus will soon uncover a heart still clinging to something else. His confident claim mirrors the ways we, too, can assume we’re meeting God’s requirements while missing His deeper call. Ways We May Assume We’re “Good with God” Today • Rule-Keeping Without Relationship – Attending church, reading the Bible, or avoiding certain sins can become mere habits. – Isaiah 29:13 warns, “This people draws near with their mouths … yet their hearts are far from Me.” – Jesus emphasized the greatest commandment is loving God with all we are (Mark 12:30). • Selective Obedience – We tithe but ignore gossip, or we serve publicly while cherishing private bitterness. – James 2:10 notes that breaking one part of the law makes us guilty of all. • Comparative Righteousness – “At least I’m not like them” echoes the Pharisee of Luke 18:11-12. – 2 Corinthians 10:12 cautions that measuring ourselves by one another is without understanding. • Cultural Christianity – Christian music, décor, or social media verses can mask an untouched heart. – Revelation 3:17 exposes the church that thought it was rich yet was “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” • Ministry Busyness – Constant activity can feel like intimacy with God, yet Martha-like distraction (Luke 10:41-42) can crowd out sitting at Jesus’ feet. • Charitable Giving as a Cover – Generosity is commendable, but if it substitutes for surrender it becomes self-justification. – 1 Corinthians 13:3: “If I give all I possess to the poor … but have not love, it profits me nothing.” • Doctrinal Precision Without Humility – Right theology matters, yet knowledge that puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1) leads to pride rather than worship. • Religious Heritage or Family Legacy – Being raised in church or having believing parents cannot replace personal faith (John 1:12-13). • Outward Morality Backed by Hidden Idols – Like the rich ruler’s wealth, modern idols may be career, comfort, or reputation (Colossians 3:5). Scripture’s Diagnostic Questions • Does my obedience flow from love? (John 14:15) • Is anything off-limits if Jesus asks for it? (Mark 10:21-22) • Am I relying on law-keeping or on Christ’s finished work? (Galatians 2:16) Moving from Compliance to Surrender • Invite the Holy Spirit to search the heart daily (Psalm 139:23-24). • Lay every possession, plan, and priority before Christ (Romans 12:1). • Pursue intimacy—worship, prayer, Scripture meditation—beyond routine (Jeremiah 29:13). • Walk in ongoing repentance and faith, not a one-time decision (1 John 1:9; Colossians 2:6). The rich young ruler shows that honest morality can still fall short of wholehearted surrender. Jesus lovingly calls us beyond mere rule-keeping to a life where He is Lord over every desire, possession, and allegiance. |
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