Good Morning Friends,
Jesus held many conversations during His earthly ministry, and the Gospels preserve only a fraction of them—meaning each one matters. Among them, the encounter with the rich young ruler exposes how sin distorts our values. Property, money, and material possessions seem to give us security, but it is all a mist…a vapor. The young man came to Jesus sincerely yet left sorrowful because he could not accept the new perspective Jesus offered.So we ask: What must we give up in order to follow Jesus and grow in holiness?
Scripture Summaries
1 Peter 1:3–9 — A Living Hope
Peter reminds believers that God has given us new birth into a living hope through Christ’s resurrection. Our inheritance is eternal, even as trials refine our faith like gold. Though we do not see Christ, we love Him and receive the salvation of our souls.
1 Peter 1:10–16 — Called to Holiness
The prophets longed to see the grace now revealed in Christ. Therefore, we prepare our minds, discipline our desires, and pursue holiness because God Himself is holy.
Mark 10:17–27 — The Rich Young Ruler
A wealthy young man asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus names the commandments, and the man claims to have kept them. Then Jesus, “looking at him, loved him,” and calls him to surrender what he treasures most. Unable to let go, he walks away grieving. Jesus teaches that salvation is impossible for humans but possible with God.
Mark 10:28–31 — The Cost and Reward
Jesus assures His disciples that those who surrender earthly attachments for His sake will receive far more—both now and in the age to come.
Exodus 34:14
God is jealous for our hearts; He will not share our worship.
John 17:3
Eternal life is knowing the Father and the Son.
1 John 3:1–3
We are God’s children now, and this hope leads us to purify our lives.
Message: Nearly 50 years ago I met Rochunga Pudaite, whose tribe once practiced headhunting in Northern India. Yet through the gospel, they became “hearthunters.” And this was made possible in part due to the Holy Spirit prompting Rochunga to translate the book of John into his tribal language so the tribe might learn and believe the Gospel. Rochunga shows the transforming power of Christ. And if the gospel can reshape a culture, it can reshape us.Throughout the Gospels, Jesus calls people to give something up: work, family ties, power, pride, sin. Ultimately, He calls us to surrender anything we love more than God. You see, God is jealous and does not want to compete for our love.” The issue is not the possessions themselves but the place they hold in our hearts.The rich young ruler’s struggle is our struggle. Before judging him, we must examine our own priorities. He sought guidance, and Jesus loved him—details we should not overlook. Scripture does not reveal his outcome, but I like to think he turned out ok.Indeed, anyone who turns toward Christ finds life.
And So, our hope shapes our lives. We inhabit a world of broken dreams, yet Christians are born into a living hope—a hope that refines us, sustains us, and anchors us in Christ’s resurrection. Holiness is not self‑improvement but God’s work in us as we surrender our lesser loves.
Pray that we love God above all else. Pray that we recognize Christ’s authority and depend on Him as children. Pray that we resist greed, travel lightly, and release our baggage. Pray that we love God with heart, soul, and mind—and love our neighbors as ourselves. Pray that we never turn away from God but live with a consequential hope. Pray we realize that eternal life is a surrender to being in the presence of God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 