Are there conditions in your relationship with God? Do you have conditions, that if God does not meet them, then you will turn your back and leave him?
Reading Luke chapter 18 today,
"A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'"
"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy." Luke 18:18-23 (NIV)
Is obedience still obedience if we set conditions on it? It's easy to agree with the Lord and do as he says when we can see clearly the how and the why of it all. But what about those times when he simply wants us to obey without understanding? Times when we are tempted to judge his heart because we see some of the things he allows into our lives and we simply don't like them?
In this account this man wasn't looking to be challenged by the Lord, he was looking for affirmation, a "well done!" Yet Jesus would not allow him to go away with that false image of himself. Jesus spoke right to the heart of the man's issue, just as he does with us.
He challenged people then, and he still does so today. Is there a line you will not cross for him? Is there a place you will not go? Are there conditions that would make you deny him?
Trials come to test our faith. These are not easy questions to answer, but then the path was never meant to be simple. However, it is full of light.
