Knowing versus living… that’s something we all need to work through now instead of later.
Jesus first handles marriage, divorce, and singleness. Let me quickly say what Jesus says is less about rules and more about value in the kingdom whether married, divorced, or single. There is no less than in whatever season you are in currently, you have value in His Kingdom.
But look at the interaction with this “rich man”, “Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”” Matthew 19:16-17
Jesus goes on to challenge him in thinking his good works are enough. You might be doing good things, have a good life, and even know of Jesus like this man, but that’s the point of the kingdom of God. It’s not knowing of Jesus but KNOWING JESUS that matters. The man comes up to Jesus and says, “good teacher” so it’s obvious that he doesn’t really know Jesus well. He’s more than a teacher. He is the way, the truth, and life and no one comes to the Father except through Him.
You could hear of Jesus, you could sit on the front row in church, your parents could lead or have led you in a relationship with Jesus but each of us personally knowing Him is what’s important. When we know Jesus personally that knowledge changes how we live and who we live for. So, knowing verses living is important.
This rich man had done a lot but in the end it’s not what we have done but what He did. So I ask you, do you know of Jesus or are you living for Jesus? When we realize we can’t keep the commandments perfectly we press into knowing Him. This is where life transformation happens and that’s completely different than behavior modification.
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.