That One Thing!

Around the end of the year people are often encouraged to make a New Year resolution. Giving something up, making a start on something, getting something finished, we’ve all had them.

Jesus spoke to a man in the Bible and asked him to give something up to follow Jesus with his whole heart. Jesus wanted the man to resolve to give up this thing so he could give his whole self over to following fully following with nothing to distract him.

In Luke 18:18-27 the man asked Jesus, “How can I have eternal life?”

The man said, “He had kept all the laws Jesus listed and was a good man.

In verses 19-20 Jesus reminded the man that no one is good and that all people have sinned. The man still needed to give up everything he owned to follow Jesus. This is the ‘one thing’ the man had left to do before he could have eternal life.”

“How did the man feel about giving up everything he owned?”

How did this man put God first in his life?

Jesus does not give us a list of things to do in order to get into heaven. There is not a to-do list so why did Jesus ask this man to do something to receive eternal life? Jesus knew that this wealthy man was being held back by his many possessions. His great wealth was the ‘one thing’ that was keeping his heart hard. Jesus knew this man would not totally want to follow Jesus until his possessions had been given away.”

Verse 24-25,” “To be a true follower of Christ and receive eternal life we must give our whole heart to Him. This rich young ruler was willing to give most of his heart and life to Jesus, but not all of it. His wealth was the ‘one thing’ keeping him from following Jesus with his whole heart.”

Is there one thing holding you back from following Jesus with your whole heart? Maybe you are not a follower of Jesus yet because you do not want to give up your sin and repent? The ‘one thing’ you need to resolve to do this new year is to give up your sin and believe in Jesus’ death on the cross to save you. Your ‘one thing’ to give up is your sin. This new year may be the year you choose a new life in Christ!”

For those of you who have already turned from your sin and put your faith in the saving work of Jesus maybe you still have ‘one thing’ in your life that is holding you back in your relationship with Him. Maybe there is something your heart is clinging to which you think is more important than Jesus.

So, what is your ‘one thing’ today? For the rich young ruler, it was holding on to his wealth, which meant he did not receive eternal life. What is your ‘one thing’?”

Jesus does not leave us to give up that ‘one thing’ all on our own and by our own strength. He knows we cannot do it on our own, but we need his help. Pray for God to help you have the determination to give up your ‘one thing’ even before this year is over. In Luke 18:27 Jesus says that what is impossible with man is possible with God. Rely on His strength not your own. Go into the New Year without anything hampering your relationship with Him or letting you have a closer relationship with him. The one thing you must do is follow Jesus with all your heart.