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 Of
the many Bible characters I’d like to be better acquainted
with, one is the well-to-do young man who comes to Jesus with
the question about what he must do to have eternal life (Matt.
19:16-22). I like his question — it indicates some concern
about gaining eternal life. More moderns ought to be concerned
about the same question. I like his past. He had loved his
neighbors, honored his parents and kept God’s commandments.
Sounds like a good man.
However,
the Lord sees better than men. Only He could rightly answer the
question, “What lack I yet?”. He sees the lack because He
sees the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). Here, He beholds a wrong attitude
toward material possessions. He sees a heart that values earthly
treasures more than heavenly. Now we see his answer as to
whether he would be perfect (complete) as he sorrowfully leaves
the Lord. But, hopefully, we can see more.
For
instance, we can see that achieving the completeness suggested
by the word “perfect” involves our willingness to do so.
Jesus says, “if thou wouldest...“. Like this young
man, many morally good and religious people do not sufficiently
desire completeness in Christ. Calvinism says that depraved man
cannot have such desires. But Christ makes it a condition of
completeness — If thou wouldest...”. Again, “If any man
willeth to do his will...” (Jn. 7:17) indicates the close
correlation between God’s will and man’s. Whether it
involves learning, giving or serving God generally, there must
“first be a willing mind” (2 Cor. 8:12).
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But,
perhaps we can see too that becoming perfect involves
recognizing that we’re not. Honest people will be willing to
continually face themselves with the question, “What lack I
yet?”. They sincerely want to be complete; therefore, want to
know what is lacking. Herein lies the mark of an honest and good
heart. “He that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his
works maybe made manifest. .“ (Jn. 3:21)... Too many prefer to
make a prejudicial defense of what they are instead of seeking
to learn what they lack! In fact, many resent the notion that
they man be lacking in anything. Such Pharisaical prejudice and
pride are not uncommon in the modern religious world--and, not
unheard •of in the Lord’s church. Sin makes us less than
what we ought to be but unconfessed sin will keep us that way
— it seals our incompleteness by making pardon impossible.
Finally,
we must see this perfecting process as something to be sought
with patience. Achieving maturity in the faith is a gradual
thing. Failure to realize this has discouraged some from even
making the effort. They see an almost unspanable gap between
their present state and perfection. Such should view Jesus’
question: “if thou wouldest be BETTER...“ The first step is improvement,
not perfection! The important and a binding question to be faced
is not, “Am I perfect?”; but, “Am I improving?”. The
ultimate goal is PERFECTION, but its attainment comes one step
at a time; in achievable-size chunks — and only then,
remember, if we sincerely will it and continually work for it
with patience. Dan S. Shipley
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