PRAISERIOT.COM™ - - Desire: The Great Deception!

Home

Articles

Community blogs

Desire: The Great Deception!

Written by Khimani A. Williams

Wednesday, 30 April 2008

Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbour as yourself.'" "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

St. Matthew 17: 16 – 25

Are you like this rich young man? Do you desire to be saved from your sins and be reunited with the Father? What are you willing to lose in order to gain eternal life? If you want salvation you cannot only come with your desire, you also have to be willing to make a commitment. Desire is a great deception if the heart is not willing to be obedient to the commands of Jesus Christ! Just as how faith without works is dead, so is desire without devotion.

This rich young man had a great desire to be saved. “What must I do to get eternal life”, he enquired. He showed that he had all the items on his ‘list of good deeds’ checked; he was no murderer, was faithful to his wife, spoke the truth, honoured his parents and he loved his fellowman. But Jesus exposed him, showing him that all he had was the desire and no commitment. In verse 21 Jesus made it clear that all he had to do is sell his possessions and give it the needy and he will inherit eternal life. But he became sad because that would cost him his hard earned wealth. What? Look at the exchange: earthly riches for heavenly treasures; but he loved the former more than the latter. His desire deceived him, don’t fall into his trap.

In verse 25 the disciples asked, “Who then cam be saved?” and Jesus replied, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Jesus is saying that nothing we do in and of ourselves can save us, only God alone can. Our desire cannot save us, we have to have faith in Jesus Christ because the “Just shall live by faith” [Habakkuk 2: 4]. And faith is not just to believe in and desire God, is means a life of faithfulness unto God. It is the Spirit of God who will teach us how to live when we make a commitment to follow Christ, He will guide us [St. John 16: 5 – 16].

Desiring God is the greatest desire in this world, but if you only come to Him to receive, that same desire will deceive you. Give Him your heart and He will give you eternal life. This is His promise according to Romans 10: 9 – 11. Just as if you desire to become a pilot, you have to make a commitment to go through the gruelling flying hours in order to get your license. In the same way, if you desire to become a Christian, you must be committed to say ‘No’ to the passions of this vicious world (and God’s grace will teach you how [Titus 2: 11 12]). God will commit Himself to you and help you in your walk with Him, He won’t leave you alone. God bless you.

Comments

Add New

go Khim

Kay (Manager) 2008-05-21 00:35:49

haha..good one Khimani...as a good friend said to me..itz about how much u put
it...as the scriptures say Gal6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for
whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
and desire is an ooo so crucial
part...after all King David wasn't perfect but he was described as a man after
God's own heart...
go Khimani...bless God for this word...for out of ur belly
shall flow rivers of living water...

Thanks Khimani

wissygee 2008-05-20 19:25:03

I read this article for lunch, and it was a belly full. I hope many will read
and desire to get a full understanding of what the article is saying. Yow
Khimani, continue to play ur role in God's Kingdom.