Robert Posted May 30, 2009 Posted May 30, 2009 Matthew 19:16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" 17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. The Rich Young Ruler viewed Christ, not as the Son of God, but as a man - a "good teacher". How did Christ respond? "No one is good but One, that is, God." Paul states the same in Romans 3:10 "There is none righteous, no, not one... 12 ...There is none who does good, no, not one." Christ attempted to correct the RYR's theology from the start, but because he probably couldn't understand Christ's meaning, Jesus direclty answered his question: "if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." 18... "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 19 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, ' You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " Christ answered the RYR's question by giving Him the measuring stick of righteousness. You see this RYR wanted to do something in return for eternal life. Christ gave him the law, but notice Christ left out "you shall not covet". Instead of quoting the 10th, He said, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" This should not be taken as a humble response, rather the RYR is bragging! "I've kept them all, what do I lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." In the eyes of the RYR he had never murdered anyone; committed adultery; committed theft; or lied....But did the RYR love his neighbor as himself? - that's the question! Apparently not...he loved himself and all his riches proved it! However, if the RYR was to gain heaven by doing something, then he must "love his neighbor as himself." The evidence of his self-love was all his possessions, but if he was to be perfect then he must sell all his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor. Quote
Robert Posted May 30, 2009 Author Posted May 30, 2009 Did the RYR sell all his possessions and give them to the poor? No! Why not? He loved himself.... Quote
Robert Posted May 30, 2009 Author Posted May 30, 2009 -BC- COL -TI- Christ's Object Lessons -CN- 28 -CT- The Reward of Grace -PR- 01 -PG- 392 The lover of self is a transgressor of the law. This Jesus desired to reveal to the young man, and He gave him a test that would make manifest the selfishness of his heart. He showed him the plague spot in his character. The young man desired no further enlightenment. He had cherished an idol in the soul; the world was his god. He professed to have kept the commandments, but he was destitute of the principle which is the very spirit and life of them all. He did not possess true love [agape] for God or man. This want was the want of everything that would qualify him to enter the kingdom of heaven. In his love of self and worldly gain he was out of harmony with the principles of heaven (agape love). Quote
Woody Posted May 30, 2009 Posted May 30, 2009 Thank you Rob. This is good stuff. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology. Â
Robert Posted May 30, 2009 Author Posted May 30, 2009 The evidence of his self-love was all his possessions, but if he was to be perfect then he must sell all his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor. Let's continue now, but from Mark chapter 10:21 [Jesus to the RYR] Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." 22 But he [the RYR] was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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." 26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" 27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible." Alright, there's the whole context. Let's sum it up: 1] A rich young ruler came up to Jesus. He addressed Him not as God, but as a mere man. He said, "Good teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain heaven"? 2] The first thing Christ endeavors to do is correct the RYR's theology. As a Jew he had been raised with the error that in order to go to heaven you must keep the law. But Christ points out that no one is good, but one, that is God. If no one is good, then one cannot work his way into heaven. But, as usual, such words go in one ear and out the other with the self-righteous. 3] So Jesus answers the RYR's question directly: If you want heaven by works then you must keep the law. 4] After Christ recites the law, the RYR exclaims, "all these I've been doing, where do I lack?" 5] Jesus points out that if you really love your neighbor as yourself then one should have no problem giving all his possessions to his neighbor. So outwardly the RYR thought he was a commandment keeper, but inwardly he was keeping the law for gain. He was doing the right thing outwardly, but motivationally he was doing it for self-centered reasons. It's like me helping a senior citizen across a busy road. What's my motive? Because Christ is working in me and therefore it is selfless act or because I want that person to remember me in his/her will? Keeping the law outwardly to obtain gain is really keeping sin. As I said before, "agape is the fulfillment of the law". Self-love fulfills sin. 6] Anyway, the RYR refuses to give up his possessions. Why? First what was Christ response to this? "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" So here we are....Why did Christ say the above? Remember, Christ said that the RYR trusted in his riches! I'll wait.... Rob Quote
Moderators Gerr Posted May 30, 2009 Moderators Posted May 30, 2009 Did the RYR sell all his possessions and give them to the poor? No! Why not? He loved himself.... "And when Jesus entered PETER'S HOUSE....." Mt 8:14. Quote
Robert Posted May 30, 2009 Author Posted May 30, 2009 Originally Posted By: Robert Did the RYR sell all his possessions and give them to the poor? No! Why not? He loved himself.... "And when Jesus entered PETER'S HOUSE....." Mt 8:14. Peter was a sinner....Look at all the self-centered statements: Matt 19:27 Then Peter said to him, "We've given up everything to follow you. What will we get out of it?" matt 18:1 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Which of us will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" The disciples were a mess before the cross, but after the cross we see a change. They were willing to give up everything for the cause of Christ. Matt 19:29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake [my glory], will receive a hundred times as much in return and will have eternal life. Now remember in heaven there will be no "self-love". There'll be no thinking of ones self. Folks won't think in selfish terms, i.e., my house, my gold road, etc....None will think of self....Everything that Jesus has given us we will share. We will live not for our own interests, but rather for those around us. Quote
Robert Posted May 30, 2009 Author Posted May 30, 2009 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" So here we are....Why did Christ say the above? Remember, Christ said that the RYR trusted in his riches! I'll wait.... Rob Think now, guys....If you think out of tradition, you'll get the answer wrong.... Quote
Robert Posted May 30, 2009 Author Posted May 30, 2009 Originally Posted By: Robert "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" So here we are....Why did Christ say the above? Remember, Christ said that the RYR trusted in his riches! I'll wait.... Rob Think now, guys....If you think out of tradition, you'll get the answer wrong.... Let me give you a clue to why this man held on to his possessions. It wasn't just out of greed, although that's part of it.... Deut 28:2 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: ...11 The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity Quote
Robert Posted May 30, 2009 Author Posted May 30, 2009 Originally Posted By: Robert Think now, guys....If you think out of tradition, you'll get the answer wrong.... [/quote'] Let me give you a clue to why this man held on to his possessions. It wasn't just out of greed, although that's part of it.... Deut 28:2 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: ...11 The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity No one? Okay...You see to a Jew a rich man was synonymous with a good man - a righteous man. Hence a rich man was blessed of God for his obedience to the law (See Deut chapter 28 above). Therefore for the RYR to give up his possessions was, in his mind, equivalent to admitting he wasn't a law keeper. His poverty would have then meant that he wasn't blessed of God and would have suggested he was unrighteous. You see the RYR trusted in his riches! After all his possessions were proof of his righteousness. Is was within reference to this that Jesus said, "how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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." That's why the disciples were shocked! As Jews they too were taught that a rich man is a good man blessed of God for his law obedience. So in their minds if a rich man couldn't make it to heaven then who could be saved? Robert Quote
Just* Posted May 30, 2009 Posted May 30, 2009 what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? Mt 19:16 All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Mt 19:20 what lack I yet? Mt 19:20 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? Mt 19:17 come [and] follow me. Mt 19:21 for without me ye can do nothing. Jn 15:5 Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; Heb 12:2 for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin. Rom 14:23 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4 Quote
Robert Posted May 30, 2009 Author Posted May 30, 2009 If you want to discuss the context then let's do it, but quoting from different sources and then piecing them together proves nothing. Let's go verse by verse, but within context....Then we can explore outside the context for meaning if we need. Rob Quote
oldsailor29 Posted May 30, 2009 Posted May 30, 2009 Who is my neighbor? What did Jesus say? Quote Prs God, frm whm blssngs flw http://www.zoelifestyle.com/jmccall
Robert Posted May 30, 2009 Author Posted May 30, 2009 Who is my neighbor? What did Jesus say? All men...even your enemies Quote
Moderators Gerr Posted May 31, 2009 Moderators Posted May 31, 2009 Originally Posted By: Robert "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" So here we are....Why did Christ say the above? Remember, Christ said that the RYR trusted in his riches! I'll wait.... Rob Think now, guys....If you think out of tradition, you'll get the answer wrong.... Well, since you seem to think you are the only one gifted to be capable of thinking, give us the answer professor? Quote
Robert Posted May 31, 2009 Author Posted May 31, 2009 Originally Posted By: Robert Think now, guys....If you think out of tradition, you'll get the answer wrong.... [/quote'] Well, since you seem to think you are the only one gifted to be capable of thinking, give us the answer professor? I already did....go back a few posts. Rob Quote
True-believer Posted May 31, 2009 Posted May 31, 2009 Love your neigbor as you love yourself. Thankyou Rob, I will. Quote Luke 4:19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Moderators Gerr Posted May 31, 2009 Moderators Posted May 31, 2009 No love for myself = no love for my neighbor. Quote
oldsailor29 Posted May 31, 2009 Posted May 31, 2009 Originally Posted By: oldsailor29 Who is my neighbor? What did Jesus say? All men...even your enemies BUZZZZZZZZZZ Â Â (wrong) Read the parable of the good Samaritan again. Â Â The injured man only had one neighbor. Â Â Tell me why he was considered a neighbor, and you will then know what it takes to be a neighbor to others, and what it takes from others to be your neighbor. Â Â The people who will help you when you are in need are your only neighbors. Quote Prs God, frm whm blssngs flw http://www.zoelifestyle.com/jmccall
Lutz13 Posted May 31, 2009 Posted May 31, 2009 No love for myself = no love for my neighbor. The point is, we are all born with self love. We already have it, so we are to take that selfish love and use it on our neighbors instead. Quote
Lutz13 Posted May 31, 2009 Posted May 31, 2009 BUZZZZZZZZZZ (wrong) Read the parable of the good Samaritan again. The injured man only had one neighbor. Tell me why he was considered a neighbor, and you will then know what it takes to be a neighbor to others, and what it takes from others to be your neighbor. The people who will help you when you are in need are your only neighbors. Does it really matter? We are to treat our enemies as if they were our neighbor too. Quote
oldsailor29 Posted May 31, 2009 Posted May 31, 2009 Does it really matter? We are to treat our enemies as if they were our neighbor too. I think it does.  Jesus said, "Love your enemies," but He said "Love your neighbors as you love yourself."  I think there is a difference. Quote Prs God, frm whm blssngs flw http://www.zoelifestyle.com/jmccall
Robert Posted May 31, 2009 Author Posted May 31, 2009 No love for myself = no love for my neighbor. That's because you are self-centered...i.e., if Rob is right and I can't love myself also, then I won't love my neighbor either.... And you don't! Thanks for proving my point! Got ya! Quote
Robert Posted May 31, 2009 Author Posted May 31, 2009 Originally Posted By: Robert All men...even your enemies BUZZZZZZZZZZ Â Â (wrong) Read the parable.... I don't need to read a parable when I can read what Jesus said straight out.... And it is you who are wrong, Rob Quote
Robert Posted May 31, 2009 Author Posted May 31, 2009 Originally Posted By: Gerry Cabalo No love for myself = no love for my neighbor. The point is, we are all born with self love. We already have it, so we are to take that selfish love and use it on our neighbors instead. I even ask this guy at work, a Baptist, who usually disagrees with me on doctrine, how many commands there are in "love your neighbor as yourself"? He said one....We are born already in love with ourselves. I couldn't believe it...he agreed....So I said, "You the man".... Wow, a Baptist guy putting an SDA, Gerry, to shame.... Not only that but the Baptist guy can count and Gerry can't....Doc I'm glad you are retired because you might think, i.e., if I needed heart surgery, that I have two hearts instead of one. With no back up I would be 6' under. So Doc, take come basic math courses. .... Quote
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