WHAT GOOD THING SHALL I DO?

Newsletter 125

Over the ages, mankind has associated the gaining of eternal life with the doing of good deeds. Rather than make changes in relationship with God and life style, the rich in this world’s goods often think in terms of money and may open a tax exempt foundation in their own name, or makes a tax exempt large donation to a college, charitable, or religious organization. Like the rich young man, who found to his sorrow that he could not buy eternal life. Admission, there, is not measured in material wealth; all must be left behind at death.

The great wealth, in the graves of the rulers of past empires, if they have not been looted many years ago, bear witness that all was left behind. The typical burial of a deceased person today cancosts thousands, but accomplishes the very same result as the wrapping in his blanket and interment of a impoverished Zulu laborer.

This young man probably thought that he could make a large donation to this group of itinerant evangelists and that they would promise him eternal life in heaven. After all they talked about life after death, and heaven, and they certainly had no money. Why not?

Let’s read the account from Matthew.

Matthew 19:16-22 (King James Version)

16. behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17. And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21. Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Jesus went right to the root of the matter. “Why callest thou me good?” After all, eternal life is not awarded for keeping the law, or even being honest with our neighbors. Yes, doing these things is a result of Christ in the lives of his followers, but, being saved is depends on a new relationship with Christ. He is our head, the Spirit dwells within us, scripture speaks of us putting on Christ.

Being a Christian is more than placing membership in a congregation of believers and being present in God’s house every Sunday. When we learn of Christ and change our goals and way of life, called repentance, confessing that Jesus is our Lord, and being obedient to him in baptism, it is these that change our relationship with Christ. Why do we do these things? Simply because he said to. If he is our Lord, we will not question that he asks. If he had asked that we make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and leave thousands of dollars there, most could not do that. No, his test of our motivation, is something that even the poorest of the poor can afford. Even the tithe is in proportion to income. It is a matter of heart. When you give yourself, you give all.
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Let is praise God together for his gift to us all, and share that wondrous good news everywhere we go!

I PLEDGE TO READ MY BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2009
FEBRUARY
1st. Sunday - Job 21,22, Matthew 22:23-46, Proverbs 3:21-35
2nd. Monday - Job 23,24,25, Matthew 23:1-22, Psalm 18:1-6
3rd. Tuesday - Job 26,27,28,29, Matthew 23:23-39 Psalm 18:7-15
4th. Wednesday - Job 30,31, Matthew 24:1-25, Psalm 18:16-24
5th. Thursday - Job 32,33, Matthew 24:26-51, Proverbs 4:1-9
6th. Friday - Job 34,35,36, Matthew 25:1-23, Psalm 18:25-36
7th Saturday - Job 37,38, Matthew 25:24-46, Psalm 18:37-42

LINKS TO OUR BLOG SITES

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http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com/
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.
blogspot.com/
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/ http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.
com/
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PRAISE THE LORD!

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

"Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."

Matthew 24:5
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CHRISTIAN GREETINGS FROM:
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Rules of flying

Takeoff's are optional. Landings are mandatory.

If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger, if you pull the stick back they get smaller. Unless you keep pulling the stick back--then they get bigger again.

Flying is not dangerous; crashing is dangerous.

The propeller is just a big fan in the front of the plane to keep the pilot cool. Want proof? Make it stop; then watch the pilot break out into a sweat.

The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

Every one already knows the definition of a 'good' landing is one from which you can walk away. But very few know the definition of a 'great landing.'
It's one after which you can use the airplane another time.

The probability of survival is equal to the angle of arrival.

Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing: Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.

The only thing worse than a captain who never flew as copilot is a copilot who once was a captain.

It's easy to make a small fortune in aviation.
You start with a large fortune.

Try to keep the number of your landings equal to the number of your takeoffs.
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GOD ♥ YOU