Last Quesion. Next Step.

Mark 12:32-34 “Well said, teacher,” the scribe replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from th1e kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
 
THIS exchange must be a very sobering, thoughtful lesson for all who say, “I follow Jesus.” The questioning scribe acknowledged Jesus’ well said answer. Was he not then in the kingdom of God?  
    Not yet, according to Jesus. Why not? We can learn the answer in the scribe’s response. He said that loving God and our neighbor is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. He emphasizes a genuine, active love is the essence of faith. Such love leads to active participation in the kingdom of God. You can’t be a kingdom citizen if you are unwilling to live your love.
    This love that responds to God’s love is the essence of Jesus’ ministry. One of his earliest recorded teachings is the call-to-action Sermon on the Mount. As he closed his preaching Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”  (Matthew 7:21)
    A true loving faith in Jesus is expressed in knowing and doing God’s will. We can’t just say, “Well said, Good Teacher.” to Jesus if we do not hold his words as the Guardian of our lives. Faith in Jesus is sure he went to the cross because your sins need to be cleansed from your soul. Jesus affirms you are in the kingdom of heaven when you have faith to build your life on his: Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
    Too many people feel safe when they listen to a sermon, attend a Bible study and read the Bible regularly. Although your works do not save you, what you do tells the true story of your relationship with Jesus. Are you at the kingdom door listening to Jesus. Are you able to enter because your faith propels you to action?