What Lack I Yet

Background Scripture: Matthew 19
Lesson Scripture: Matthew 19:16-26

Introduction

Many people seek spiritual fulfillment through religious form and traditional ceremony. Religions of all types offer this formula for spiritual satisfaction. Sadly, in these forms many people never grow beyond a shallow level of artificial righteousness. The God of heaven and earth is calling all people from mere formality to a greater depth of spiritual living where life is filled with genuine inspiration.

Man cannot possibly generate his own goodness. Only in complete surrender to the will of the Lord and obedience to his promptings can we find personal growth, lasting peace, and completeness.

Key Verse

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death (2 Cor. 7:10).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

As Jesus preached the Word of truth, people were drawn to his love. Their spiritual eyes were being opened, and some began, indistinctly at first, to perceive the need for a change.

The young man who came to Jesus asking how he could do some good deeds to inherit heaven appears to have been quite sincere. With a short-range vision he approached Jesus to ask how his righteous actions could secure his soul.

Jesus established that He had not come to diminish the law. The young man told the Savior that he was indeed a good person. How could he prove this? He replied that he had always kept the law.

Knowing the inner recesses of this young man’s heart, Jesus exposed a glaring flaw. The young man was attached to the higher lifestyle of a wealthy and influential land owner of ancient times. His life consisted of recognition and honor.

Quietly Jesus pointed the young man to his need of seeking righteousness from God alone. He would need to humble himself by releasing his grasp on his money, possessions, and lavish living. His shallow, narrow focus prevailed, and he went back to his old patterns and habits of entitlement.

The young man had been so close to the kingdom of heaven, so near to true peace and fulfillment, yet, stymied by self and unwillingness for a simple lifestyle, he walked away from an eternal treasure that vastly surpassed his earthly possessions.

Jesus reminded his disciples that riches retained and worshipped completely block a connection with God. The disciples concluded that only poor people could be saved and inherit heaven, but Jesus rejoined that no man can understand and inherit eternal life unless he will humble himself before God and do that which he is directed to do.

Practical Truths for Today

We live in an era of unprecedented wealth, easy credit, and ability to acquire nearly anything we desire. Lands and businesses are passed on to succeeding generations who have not sacrificed nor worked for even a fraction of the value received in such an inheritance. Information and technology challenge us to live a materialistically focused life above our actual means and our needs. Nearly everything around us is designed for instant gratification. Generally, increase on return and margin are fairly easy to manage. Secular banking and accounting advice tends to push us toward accumulation and hoarding of our assets rather than godly tithing—giving without any strings attached nor receiving recognition for the display of generosity.

We did not choose to live in this era, but God, through his Spirit-inspired Word, teaches and warns us about the challenges we face today. He also gives us the power to live a completely different lifestyle from the common, selfish practices of our day.

We must remember that our heartbeat, health, money, possessions, opportunities, and loved ones are all given to us by God. The time we are allotted on earth is not ours to waste as we please; rather, it is for us to submit to the will and inspiration of God’s Spirit so we can confidently sing the song of humble giving: “A full surrender I have made, I’ve given all to Jesus; My all is on the altar laid, I’ve given all to Jesus.” 1

Because of our fallible and depraved nature, our weaknesses tend to develop in the areas of our lives where we feel capable and where we depend on our intellect or experience to guide us. Our thoughts can seem so right that we cannot understand why everyone does not agree with our way of thinking. Carefully nurturing our own special agenda, we grapple with offense when others do not support our pet program. We might notice our brothers or sisters drawing back a bit from some of our aggressive and pushy thoughts but pass it off as part of being in charge.

Next, we may hear suggestions about laying down our will, listening to the input of others, waiting on God, and quietly yet simply following the Spirit. We may wonder why others cannot get inspired and put some energy into committee work. Possibly we feel empowered enough to supply most of what is needed to direct a project.

At some point an admonition comes our way. “What?” we say. “I have a need? How can it be possible? I’ve always been on fire for the Lord and ready to work for Him!” This may shake our faith and cause us to ask, “What am I missing? What should I do?” Jesus then gently recommends, “If you would be complete, go and relinquish that which you are holding on to.”

Materialism clouds our vision to the need for self-denial and the complete surrender of our will. We can become independent and satisfied with living to the side of the mainstream of the brotherhood. This is a dangerous position; to dwell there leaves us subject to confusion, deceit, and error. Relying solely on our own proving opens us to many unsound and unvalidated doctrines and theologies. These lead us away from the warmth and light found in the kingdom of Christ.

We may easily become forceful and domineering in discussions or find it difficult to be still and listen to the input of others. “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:13-18). Our intellect and superior feeling of fulfilling the will of God will never provide the answers to the dilemmas of controversy, conflict, unrest, and disorder. If we let Him, God will mold our lives and carefully change our weaknesses into usable talents, but we must submit our will to his cleansing blood.

God is slow to anger, gracious, and merciful. He will renew our purpose and fill us with his quiet power as we release our self-righteous zeal and wait patiently for his peaceful direction. We will again find beauty in the bride of Christ, not in our own way, and possess the happiness and the peaceful knowledge that we are one of his own.

Questions

1. What are some indications of just following traditions and patterns rather than true spiritual inspiration?
2. What can we expect from God’s promise in the last part of Hebrews 11:6? “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”
3. How do young Christians recognize the working of God’s Spirit in the growth of their spiritual lives?
4. Is it possible to be sincere yet completely unknowing about a lack of depth in our personal Christian life if we are totally honest with ourselves?
5. 1 Johnson Oatman Jr. (1856-1926), “A Full Surrender,” Christian Hymnal
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).