"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God...For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible." (Mark 10:24,27)

In this Sunday's Gospel reading (Mark 10:17-31) it is easy to be drawn toward challenges for the rich, and for those trying to do what they think is necessary, to enter God's kingdom.

 And so often people condemn the wealth of the rich.  But this is based on a false reading of 1 Timothy 6:10, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil".   Often we will hear this verse without the "love of"  And so money is perceived as "evil".  But that is NOT what the Scriptures are saying.  A lot of things can be "a root of all kinds of evil".

We also often hear of how people are trying to do what they think God requires, thinking:  "God will save me, bless me, help me, IF I do this or that."

But now read again the words of Jesus:  entering the Kingdom of God is "impossible" for us.  But "for God all things are possible".  So there is nothing we can do to earn the kingdom of God.  We can never do enough to earn entrance into God's kingdom.

But now in Jesus we have the way to enter the kingdom of God.  It is by God's grace (defined as "unmerited kindness") that all of us are saved.  God did all that was required, when He sent His only Son to be our Savior.  

So now our actions and works are all in response to what God has already done, and all that God has given.  Our service and giving  are all acts of worship and thanksgiving to the God who in Christ has forgiven all sins, and promises His love and grace.  

It's like a young child who takes a sandwich from one parents who has made the sandwich,  and the child hands it to her/his other parent.  The parent may show gratitude, and the child may think he/she has done a lot for the parent.  When in reality:  the parent had worked at a job that earned the money to buy the food.  The child's parent had shopped for the food, and prepared the food.  And the parent cleans up after the meal.

So with God and each one of us.  Our service and actions are in response to, and because of all that God has first done, and continues to do for us!  There is much for us to do.  And God wants us to do all we can, even as He is at work within and through our actions.  So may we live in the joy and blessings of the God who is so loving and gracious to each and every one of us.

God Bless,

Pastor Steve