Limiting Belief: I can’t.
Empowering Truth: Nothing is impossible with God.
We are told that if we set our minds to it that nothing is impossible. We are told to dream big.
But somewhere along the way we encounter reality. We realize that there are some things that are impossible. We exchange our big dreams for something less. We stop chasing. We stop pursuing.
Then our culture makes us feel guilty about it. We are left with feelings of regret. We begin to doubt ourselves. We think:
- I didn’t try hard enough.
- I didn’t believe enough.
- There is something wrong with me.
But there is a different message in the Scriptures that does not align with the message of our culture. Our culture says you can do anything. The Bible says you can’t.
We look at the story of the rich ruler in Luke 18:18-30. There is a certain ruler that comes to Jesus and asks him what he must do to inherit eternal life.
Jesus responds by telling him to keep the commandments. The ruler is confident. He is full of faith in himself. He tells Jesus that he has kept the commandments.
But Jesus puts this ruler’s claim to the test. Jesus knows that the ruler’s heart is filled with greed and covetousness. The ruler is apathetic to the needs of others and lacks mercy. So Jesus says:
“One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Luke 18:22, ESV)
This was something that this ruler could not do. It was too much to ask. He had a greater desire for his wealth than he did for his God. It was impossible.
Jesus responds by saying:
“How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”” (Luke 18:24–25, ESV)
Jesus describes an impossible scenario. There is no way that a camel is going to go through the eye of a needle. And everyone who heard this asked, “how then can anyone be saved?”
Jesus responds by saying:
“What is impossible with man is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27, ESV)
There are many things that you cannot do. But there is nothing that God cannot do.
Chiefly, you cannot accomplish your salvation. As much as you set your mind and heart to it, only Jesus saves.
It is all a matter of faith. The world tells us to believe in ourselves. The Bible tells us to believe in God.
There are many who believe big things. But having a big faith does not do us much good if we believe in the wrong thing. It is not about the measure of our faith, but the object of our faith. That is why Jesus talks about having the faith of a mustard seed (see Matthew 17:20).
I would rather have a little faith in God than a big faith in myself.
Steve Roth says
Phil, we are using 7 of your “40 Things” during our Lenten services. We chose 7 of them to emphasize during our “Give It Up” theme at Grace Lutheran Church in Arlington, Texas. Thank you for your ministry. Steve Roth
Phil Ressler says
Thanks Steve. It is always great to hear from different churches using the 40 Things. Texas has the largest readership on my blog.
Cam says
Phil, happy to see this list and wanted to share mine. The past three years I’ve decided to embrace non- judgement during lent and have been happy that each year I’ve improved in this area and feeling richer. This year I’ve added minimalism to this period. Your thoughts.
Phil Ressler says
Thanks Cam. The cancel culture looms large. We need more people who will be slow to anger and quick to listen. I pray you are encouraged as you strive to be an encourager and a peace-maker. Minimalism takes on many forms. We all have so much material stuff and emotional clutter in our lives. Letting go of all that stuff helps us live more free. Good list!
Vivian Ferchill says
I was in a bible study long ago and we were studying this scripture about the camel and the needles eye. We were told that there was a very low gate called the “Needles Eye” that they were referring to being so low or small that a camel couldn’t get through it. Do you know anything about this?
Phil Ressler says
Vivian – this is a common interpretation and explanation, but there is not much actual evidence that supports this interpretation. A better explanation is that the word for camel and rope are very similar in the orignal language. I image that Jesus actually said that it easier to fit a rope through the eye of a needle. But through copying and translating the word rope got changed to camel. However it is meant to be translated, it does not significantly change the meaning of the text.