One Thing You Lack
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 10:21-22) Even the most noble of us fall short of God's glory and His righteous requirements. Our most sincere efforts to do good cannot bridge the gap between us and His standard, for our righteousness is like filthy rags compared to His. Even our valiant efforts to "give back," to show love and kindness, and come to the aid of others are insufficient at best; and our sin makes us contributors to the plights we are trying to relieve. There is no other way to God, to please God, or to know God than the cross. Pick up your cross and follow Jesus. Our own noble works and best intentions can be an insult to the Holy Spirit. Christianity is overrun with good peopl...