In context, this is a “take a step back” statement by Jesus.
Mr. Christ is talking with a young theologian about what is the greatest commandment. We all know how it goes;
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul mind and strength. And the 2nd is like it, love your neighbor as yourself.
So the scribe replies, “You’re right, Teacher. I agree with you. To love is more than all the whole sacrifices.”
Then Jesus tells him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
What do you mean I’m not far? I just totally agreed with you Jesus. shouldn’t I be IN the Kingdom?
Well, you’re close, but not quite there yet.
Why not?
You know, just because you agreed with me doesn’t mean your in.
Then what do I still lack Jesus?
You tell me, young man…
Just because we honor God with our lips does not mean we are drawing near with our hearts. And just because we drew near once, doesn’t mean we are still close.
God, make me a man of One Thing.
Technorati Tags: onething, Passion for Jesus
Heba said:
I love that post. It made me think more about that passage…great job Shawn
Posted on October 24, 2006 at 4:16 pm
The other Andy said:
Wow, I never really thought about that passage that way.
Posted on October 24, 2006 at 7:20 pm
Shawn said:
Glad I could help you all out. That’s why I’m here. To make you look at things differently. My blog is kind of like a fun-house.
Posted on October 24, 2006 at 8:20 pm
Ruth said:
wow… where do you get your inspiration from?? no, don’t say it! I know…from reading the bible and revelation.. I need that too!
Posted on October 25, 2006 at 8:01 am
Shawn said:
Ruth - Here’s a hint.
Posted on October 25, 2006 at 10:22 am
Ronalfy said:
I guess I interpret that verse a little differently. Most the time when Jesus is talking about the Kingdom in the New Testament, he is trying to lead people out of the old covenant into the new covenant.
So when he Jesus asks what the greatest commandment was and responded that “You are not far from the kingdom of God”, I believe it implies there is one more simple step to salvation: the belief of a savior in Jesus, the son of God.
Someone can love God with all their heart and all their might and still be lost, so the next logical step would be to choose a savior as a basis for that love.
Posted on October 28, 2006 at 1:52 am
Dave said:
Jesus really said that? Cool… so even he says God doesn’t rule the earth after all.
Even though he created it, it is not part of his kingdom. (Another cool thing is that God is a king. I thought “god” beats being “king”, but I guess not then.)
Another reflection would be… if god created Earth from scratch, and Hell and its eternal fire is inside the Earth, then God must have created Hell too. (Was satan homeless before that, or was he a permanent citizen of heaven before he moved in in his new Hell?)
Posted on January 4, 2008 at 9:21 pm