Forgiveness
Ø Forgiveness, is it free?
o Yes? It cost God everything.
o What does it cost you? Nothing?
Ø What about sell all that you have and follow me.
o Have you ever had to sell your belongings? To seach through your stuff and find something worth selling?
1. First what you discover is a lot of things that are not worth anything. Junk!
2. Then you find all the sentimental stuff, "I can't sell that" "oh remember that?" baby things, drawings, etc...
3. Then there is the things that we think we could someday USE again.
4. Now we come to the stuff are still using, now.
5. Then you have your treasures. Collectables, things that you feel identify YOU. (still junk)
6. Then the things you actually use. Furniture, machines, clothes you still like and wear, etc...
7. What is left to sell after you have sold all? Yourself!
That is what Jesus knew would keep the young rich man from following him. What if Jesus would have said "sell all that you have-put it in your bank account and follow me"? Everything else is easier to lay down but when we come to ourselves we have to die.
There are two things that have to motivate us before we will do this.
1. Love God with all our hearts
This will put us in a position of obedience. It may lead us to friendship with God, but the least is obedience.
2. Hate sin with all our hearts
Why did God send Jesus? Yes because he loves us, but also because he hates evil.(to destroy the works of the devil) The Father and Jesus hate your sin so much that he did something about it, he crucified his own son.
For most of us knowing that God loves us isn't enough to motivate us to the cross that we are to carry daily. We cannot love the people enough until we hate sin more. We see the sin that is destroying their lives and this love-hate motivation drives us to the cross. Firstly to Jesus' cross for ourselves and then to our daily one for others.
This love-hate life is a must. Only then will we know what true repentance is, and only then will the gift and sacrifice of Christ mean something to us.