“‘All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?’” Matthew 19:20 NIV
Prior to this verse, this young man approached Jesus and asked him what he needed to do to enter the Kingdom of God? It is foolish to say, or to think, that I have kept all these commands from my youth, but the young man’s second question is one that we should all be asking: what do I still lack?
Even thought the young man believed that he had been living a good life, he was still not satisfied with his current spiritual state. He had an inner knowledge that more was required; he had a sense of incompleteness and a hunger for a higher righteousness.
Do we believe that we are living a good life? Do we have a sense of emptiness? Have we humbled ourselves before Christ Almighty, asking him to point out to us where we are lacking? Are we ready for Christ’s answer? Will we, like the young man, forsake Christ and walk away after hearing what we need to do?
As a Christ follower, it is our responsibility to seek that which God is pointing out to us that needs change. But unlike the young man, may it only be our sinful nature that departs as we draw nearer to Him.
Lock Your Wings 
This certainly calls for a brave prayer! Praying such depends so much upon our sincerity to hear and act, my prayer is that I don’t lack in the courage to pray and follow His response.
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Yes, our sincerity to not only hear, but to act upon His response!
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“Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.””
Matthew 19:6 NLT
Let no one split apart.
God’s design for marriage is for life. When we’re married and become one, any separation causes harm or brokenness to one or both of the sides of each half. I can’t think of a single separation that hasn’t resulted in permanent damage. But we, as fallen humans, fall short of God’s ideal and it causes heartache and grief. Yet we continue to look for loopholes:
“And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.””
Matthew 19:9 NLT
This out of context seems to indicate that if a spouse has been unfaithful that it automatically allows divorce. Yet if you read it with the above verse, God’s plan would be reconciliation not separation. What illustrates a more clear illustration of God’s faithfulness than forgiveness and change instead of abandonment and hurt?
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