Not Far but Not In ....

What would it be like to run an entire race and yet come short of the finish line?    Italian ultramarathoner Mauro Prosperi could tell you. In 1994 he entered the Marathon des Sables, a 155-mile race across the Sahara. He, as a former Olympic athlete ran 25 miles per day to prepare. Additionally, he cut back on water to teach his body to endure thirst. Then on the day of the race, he came completely prepared with his knife, compass, map and food. He knew exactly where he was going and how to get there. However, on the fourth day, an eight hour sandstorm hit and, when it finally stopped, the landscape had completely changed. But Prosperi was not worried. After all, he had the needed tools (compass and map) to find his way to the finish line. However, he soon learned that, while a compass tells you which way is North, it does not tell you where you are presently. To determine that, you must have a point of reference.  And, without the needed reference point(s), Prosperi ended up aimlessly wondering for ten days without reaching the finish line. Of course, very few of us will ever be in an ultramarathon. However, all of us are on a spiritual journey that will determine where we will spend eternity. And, like Prosperi did during the aformentioned ultramarathon, many of us are wondering aimlessly because, while we possess all of the spiritual tools and knowledge that we need, the needed spiritual reference point (our Salvation) is missing. Thankfully, this passage,  Mark 12:18-24, provides us with just the answer we need to cease wondering aimlessly and to secure out eternal destiny. 

In the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), there are 613 total commands; 248 of which are positive with 365 being negative. Additionally, the religious leaders of the day divided them further into very important (heavy) and less important (light) commands. When reading these verses, we learn that one day, as the Pharisees were arguing as to how to categorize these commands, a scribe witnessed this discussion and asked Jesus a question. Let us look together at this fascinating dialog: “And one of the scribes came up and heard them (the Pharisees) disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, ‘Which commandment is the most important of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, “‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” The second is this: “‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ And the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.’  And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions” (Mark 12:18-24). What a startling revelation! Yes, this scribe was sound in theology and had rightly ordered loves;  However, he was only close to, but NOT in God’s kingdom.

By studying this passage, we learn that the scribe's "orthodoxy" was correct. So, what is "orthodoxy"? By studying the word “ortho”, we learn that it means straight or right. For example, "orthopedics" means straightening the child and "orthodontics" means to straighten one’s teeth. Theologically speaking, "orthodoxy" means having correct or straight theology which is absolutely essential. Christian beliefs are not secondary and a church’s statement of faith is of great importance. For born again believers, the trinity, the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, substitutionary atonement and the bodily resurrection are primary beliefs that must never be compromised. However, and more importantly, we must understand this: like the scribe living during Jesus' earthly ministry, you can be completely right with your theology and still not be a member of God's Kingdom. For example, you may be able to recite the Apostles Creed perfectly every week or know the answer to every catechism question presented and still not be born again. Why? Because, like the scribe described in this passage, you have not yet personally connected with Jesus. Stated succintly, you know all about Jesus, but do not  have a personal relationship with Him. Friend, if this describes you, please do not continue making the same error that this scribe made and allow this knowledge to get you "not far" from God's Kingdom - for being "not far" is the path to eternal seperation from God.  Instead, if you have not already done so, allow the correct and precise theology that you possess lead you straight to a dynamic and life changing relationship with Jesus, the one and only true source of Salvation and eternal life. If you have not yet accepted Him as Lord and Savior, will you do so today? Taking this step is the only way to quit wondering aimlessly and to reach the desired eternal finish line!

To learn more about the Salvation that only Jesus provides, follow this link. 

Click here to listen to or watch this entire sermon.