One Thing Lacking – Part 2

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters

 “And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed You.” And He said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” – Luke 18:28-30 (ESV)

This morning I would like to continue with my parallel Freedom Fighter with Pastor Van. But before I do, I would like to share how it was that Pastor Van shared his writings with me. First, was with a way we have become familiar with. They were all word documents on a CD that he handed to me. In it, he gives you his okay to re-work his work. The second, was in its original copy in that of a book that came out-of-the blue to me via USPS. It was dated April 4^th, 2011. His letter thanks me for some stuff I had done and then he said, “I will never be accepted as a poet because I am a rhymer.” Pastor Van, I know Jesus accepted you as a poetic, rhymin’ son of His. Gonna miss you Brother…

 

P.V. “Sadly he left the Master so suddenly defeated

How Christ’s words resounded

As in his head they repeated.

It was not so much doing for others he could gladly help the lost.

But to freely weigh each decision

To measure what it cost.”

 

So, in his heart of hearts, our rich young friend wanted to follow Jesus and keep his worldly stuff. He wanted to have eternal life in the Heaven and still go to the grave with his worldly possessions. I am quite sure our friend struggled between his convictions and his corruptions. But a heart for the Master shouldn’t allow corruption to win the day. Yes, there is much convicting truth to what Jesus says about “serving God and mammon” but as some of us may already know, it has become better to serve and give up worldly gain.

 

P.V. “He did not value His position nor His vast possession.

He paid the price for all our sin.

Would you join the procession?

For since He died and rose again He seeks all those who are lost.

His precious blood has purchased.

He has paid the utmost cost!”

 

Our own riches (if we have them at all) are a great hindrance on the roadway to Heaven. If our rich young friend had but as little of the world as Peter, James, and John had, in all probability, he would have left it to follow Christ just as they did. And it wasn’t that Jesus wore a really nice robe to show those around Him that He is the Son of God, it was the display of humility that got people’s attention. Jesus didn’t need to display His awesome power as a showman would. Quite the opposite. He would humbly forgive, restore, and heal the broken and the lost. Then, He showed all of us what it takes to get through the gates of Heaven… the sacrifice of self.

 

P.V. “He does not ask of anyone of us something He did not do.

For even His robe they divided

Before the soldiers were through.

 

The world doesn’t understand this kind of humility, the sacrifice of self, but that doesn’t mean we should be discouraged to display an act or two when they don’t expect it. Just give it when you can. What more can you do? Thank you, Pastor Van for your poetic-n-rhymin’ reminder of this simple principle.

 

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris is a child of El Elyon, a son, a husband, and a father. He has an education in Biblical doctrine and is a graduate of The Colony of Mercy, 11/2003. He has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008. You can email him at cphughes515@verizon.net

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  “²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25