What If???

Two words...

What if?

What if all things are really possible if I believe?

What is available to me beyond the gift of salvation?

Jesus did not just die for me to go to heaven, but also for me to experience a little heaven on earth. The story of the young ruler teaches us that.

He checked off all the commandments. In his conversation with Christ, he even appeared to be a true believer.

But those possessions....

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. ~Mark 10:17-21-22, New King James Version

What possibilities awaited him on the other side of empty? How sad that a man with such great commitment had so little faith.

Wealth,

influence,

accolades,

degrees,

pedigrees,

and adoration

can easily become grave clothes if we do not believe in God's power to resurrect our lives when they are gone.

How we see and navigate money and all its trappings is a great indicator of whether or not we truly believe.

Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?” The disciples couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: “You can’t imagine how difficult. I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.” That got their attention. “Then who has any chance at all?” they asked. Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.” ~Matthew 10;23-25, The Message Translation

What If More with God is Possible?

If God asked you to sacrifice it all today, do you believe that same God will give it back and more?

Can you hang it on a cross?

Put in a tomb?

And wait?

Empty grave. Full life.

What possibilities await you on the other side of empty?

Believing in God is not just about his ability to save us from eternal death after our last breath, but also deliverance from becoming the walking dead because we do not put Him first.

Jesus said, “Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first.” ~Mark 10:29-31 MSG

To fully and authentically accept Christ is to prioritize Kingdom.

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. ~Matthew 6:31-33, New Living Translation

What if you

put God first

and you last

so he can put you first?

What if?