Michael D.R.I.V.E.: Spiritual

Mark 10:17-22; (The rich young ruler who asks); “What must I do to have eternal life…?” Jesus basically tells him to do 2 things IF he wants to be allowed into Heaven: KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS, (which he was ALREADY doing) and the TOTAL SURRENDER OF HIS WILL AND ALL OF HIS IDOLS over to Christ (which he wouldn’t do), and which results in a death to “SELF”; all of this for Jesus sake… and the gospel. To be WILLING to give it up: Jesus said this by saying; “Take up your cross and follow me.” Jesus called him on his own idol which he refused to acknowledge and give up. For him, it was money. For others today, it can be drugs or alcohol, food, sex, television, your car, your love life and family, your career, your talent or hobby, and all your plans for your life etc. ANYTHING in your life that you wouldn’t be willing to let go of- in obedience to Christ; is an idol. You cannot have God AND idols. God WILL NOT share His temple with idols:

2Cor. 6:16; “And what agreement has the temple of God with IDOLS? For YOU are the temple of the living God.”

Ezek. 14:7-8; “Everyone… who sets up his idols in his heart, putting before him that which causes him to stumble into iniquity… I will set My face against that man… and I will cut him off from the midst of My people.”

Luke 14:33; “He who does not forsake all that he has, cannot be My disciple.”

Matt.10: 37-38; “He who loves father or mother, son or daughter more than Me is NOT worthy of Me. And He who does not take up his cross, (die to HIMSELF), and follow after Me is NOT worthy of Me.” (You have to be accounted worthy by God to have eternal life. You can’t “name it and claim it” in Heaven.)

Luke 20:35-36; “They who shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world [Heaven], and the resurrection from the dead… are the children of God…”

Prov. 11:6; “The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the sinners will be caught by their OWN desires.”

Gal. 5:24; “Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with it’s affections and desires.”

Matt. 16:25-26; (Consider everything you are, have, and will be; belonging to God, and no longer yourself. Once again, this is too important); “Whoever desires to save his life [his will for his life] will lose it [in the world to come], but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?”

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