He Walked Away

     Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  Sin is wicked and in 1 Corinthians 6:9 it says, "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God."
     In Matthew 19:16, a rich young man came to Jesus and asked how to receive eternal life.  Jesus told him to follow the ten commandments.  The rich young man said that he did that, and asked what else he had to do to receive eternal life.  Jesus said, "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."  The man walked away, sad, because he had great wealth.
     Jesus didn't send the rich young man away or say that he couldn't come with Him, The man walked away.
     God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, in Genessis 22.  Abraham bound isaac and put him on an alter.  He was ready and willing to do what God told him to do.  He completely trusted God.  He knew that what ever happened, it would be the best thing.  An Angel of God stopped Abraham at the last second and God provided a ram for the sacrifice, instead. 
     Have you ever shut your eyes and let yourself fall back into someone's arms?  It is a hard thing to do.  You really have to trust the person that will be catching you.  God wanted Abraham to do just that, and he did.  Jesus wanted the rich young man to do just that, but he walked away.  He wasn't sent away, he made up his own mind, he made his choice and that was for his money.
     Romans 2:9 says, "God will give each person according to what he has done.  To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.  But for those who are self-seeking and reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."  Abraham had faith in God and because of his faith he did not walk away when God told him what to do, and so he did not sin.  The rich young man could have followed Jesus but instead, chose his money, and in doing so sinned. 
     Sin is addictive and given a choice, some will pick sin.  Money isn't  wicked, but the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  The choice you have to make is, you can obey the Lord, trust Him, believe in Him put Him first in all things and receive eternal life, or you can choose your sin, and walk away.
     Jesus told the rich young man to get rid of his sin; love for money, then to follow Him.  So just laying down our sin isn't enough, we also have to follow Jesus, or take him as our Lord.  Romans 10:9, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved."  Sounds complicated but it's simple, listen to God, lay down your sin, take Jesus as Lord and be saved.