The dynamics of discipleship (part 2)

And when Jesus saw that he was sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” – LUKE 18:24

Jesus had stripped away all of the crutches and religious notions that the boy was holding on to. Goodness, and keeping the law is a deadly thing for a person to think that because they have been good upstanding citizens and have never murdered anyone or robbed a bank they have a right to eternal life. Many will be shocked on that day (judgment day) when they hear the words, “Depart from me you who commit lawlessness!”

Jesus saw that the boy was sorrowful, but it wasn’t godly sorrow, he was sorrowful thinking he had to give up his wealth and selfish lifestyle. The preaching of the gospel strips away anything a man thinks will save him apart from repentance brought about by a godly sorrow that leads to eternal life. We are all lawbreakers, born in sin, cursed with generational iniquities, and bound for eternal punishment in Hell.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has been watered down, sugar-coated and perverted so that everyone can come in and fill up the sanctuaries of the rich and famous. Millions led to slaughter by greedy shepherds wanting to pad their pockets by leading them in worthless oaths, promising them health, wealth, and success. The apostle Paul told the church at Galatia that if anyone preaches a different gospel or perverts it, let them be accursed.

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. – II CORINTHIANS 7:10