To Live is Christ — nothing is impossible

A rich young man approached Jesus and asked what he needed to do to have eternal life. However, he wasn’t looking in the same way a spiritual bankrupt person does. Instead, he came speaking of his good deeds and obedience to the commandments. He sounded as if he expected Jesus to welcome him into the kingdom.

Jesus didn’t do that. He knew this man’s heart and although He loved him, the man needed to know what was missing. Jesus told him that he lacked one thing; he needed to sell all he had and give it to the poor, then he could follow Jesus. The young man grieved, but because he loved his possessions even more, he walked away. 

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:23–27)

Jesus asked a valid question. When I read these verses, what would I put in the blank: “Get rid of ____________ and then follow me”? I ask myself this even as His disciple because I want to make sure that when I gave my life to Him, I held nothing back.

What is it that could be loved or regarded more important than Jesus? For some, it is making their own decisions. The Bible says the essence of sin is “going our own way” and Jesus told a parable illustrating how human hearts will say, “We will not have this man rule over us.”

If not stubborn pride, it could be family. To that, Jesus says, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37).

Other idols that stand in the way of fully believing and wholeheartedly serving the Lord Jesus Christ could be money, or fame, or popularity, or not wanting to admit sin or give it up. Jesus said . . . 

The light has come into the world, and people who do evil things are judged guilty because they love the dark more than the light. People who do evil hate the light and won’t come to the light, because it clearly shows what they have done. (John 3:19–20, CEV)

Yet with all the excuses and resistance in every human heart (we all sin and fall short of His glory), Jesus still says, “With God all things are possible.”

When my sister met Christ, she began praying for her family. She thought I would be the last one that would become a Christian, but I was the first. With God all things are possible.

My father-in-law knew the gospel and fought God all his life. Three months before he died, he quit fighting and asked God’s forgiveness. He also asked his wife to forgive him for being such a stubborn man. With God all things are possible.

A friend of ours was Jewish. He hated Christianity and refused to talk about spiritual things. Not long ago, he became very ill and was given days to live. Close to the end, someone told him that “Jesus is the Messiah.” This stubborn man replied, “Yes, I think you are right.” With God, all things are possible.

My prayer list has many names on it of dear ones who resist God. Some mock Him. Some do not believe He exists. Some think He doesn’t care what they do. Some think that because they are “good” people, that they are okay and don’t need saving. I’ve prayed for the salvation of most of them for more than thirty years, smiling that they are on my “hit list” and not giving up my prayers — because with God all things are possible.