NEWS & THOUGHTS ARCHIVE

What's Missing?

Evangelist Dr. Bob Sanders
April 1, 2010

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Text: Mark 10:21 “One thing thou lackest” 

Having gathered the little children into his arms and blessed them, Jesus turned to walk away. As our Lord made His way into the street, “there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (vs.17). If this were the end of the story, we would have reason to celebrate. It is always a time of celebration when there is any interest in eternal life. On the surface the question appears to be a good one until it is viewed in its context and the rest of the story is told. 

(I) The Conformation

When the young man appeared we gets the idea that he has come to gather information. Moved by a stirring of the Holy Spirit, the young man came to the source of salvation to gather sufficient information to become a partaker of eternal life. While that may have been what appeared on the surface, the text soon reveals a deeper and more depraved motivation. The young man did not come to Jesus for information, but rather for conformation! Having a total understanding of everything about us, even our thoughts, Jesus said, “Thou knowest the commandments” (vs.19). Jesus knew that this young man had already come to a conclusion concerning the means of obtaining salvation. The young man perceived that he had already done enough to merit salvation. Therefore, all he wanted Jesus to do was confirm his good works; “Master, all these have I observed from my youth” (vs20). He wanted Jesus to pat him on the back and tell him what a good person he was and tell him that if anyone made it to heaven, he would! While I do not relish the thought, I’m afraid that this is the basic motivation of an innumerable host of religious sinners that makeup the greater portion of America’s churches. The only purpose for their once a week, Sunday morning attendance is conformation. They are not there to gather information concerning salvation, sin, separation, or sanctification! They are not there to conform, but to be confirmed. They are there to be told what good people they are and how lucky God is to have them take time out of their busy schedule and drop in and leave a monetary token of their generosity to an impoverished God. 

Before we get too self-righteous, we need to pause and conduct an in-depth investigation into our motive for attending regular services, Bible conferences, and maintain a rigorous spiritual appearance. I’m afraid that much of what true born again believers do is not for information, but conformation. Our hearts have taken on the nature of the Pharisee; “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess” (Luke 18:11-12). When was the last time that we came to a service or opened the Scriptures with the simple motivation of obtaining information concerning sin, separation, and sanctification? May we like young Samuel say, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth” (I Samuel 3:9). 

(II) Confrontation

The young man came for the conformation of salvation and was confronted with the conviction of salvation; “One thing thou lackest” (vs.21). The word “lackest” means to fall or come short. The sad part about the story is the young man’s response to the confrontation, “And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions” (vs.22). The young man’s response is marked by remorse, “he was sad” and rejection, “went away grieved.” What he d perceived as a bad thing, was a blessed thing! It is a blessing to be confronted with the truth of God’s Word. Having an understanding of this, David prayed unto God, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). God’s purpose for confrontation is not remorse and rejection, but repentance! 

(III) The Conclusion

It would not be his habits, but his heart that would keep this young man out of heaven. Religion may change a person’s habits, but the Redeemer is out to capture a person’s heart! Paul said in Romans 10:9-10, “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart . . . For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness.” The difference between the religious sinner and the righteous saint is the condition of one’s heart! What is the condition of our heart? I want my heart to be tender toward the truth of God’s Word! One truth that is projected from this passage is the fact that it is hard to leave right if you did not come to get right. That may be the one thing that is missing! 

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