Getting A Grip on God's Grace

UV 3576/10000 Getting A Grip on God’s Grace It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man ( who places his faith in wealth or status) to enter the kingdom of God. Mark 10 v 25 Jesus deliberately uses a large animal like the camel to show the huge barrier to spiritual growth and faith caused by dependence on wealth or status. But why did He use the image of a camel and not some other animal? Like a camel relies on the reserve of water in its hump in its journey through the desert climes, people rely on their reserve resources and connections in their times of drought or difficulties. The hump also plays a dual role of giving the rider of the camel a grip on the slippery slope of its back. Most rich people think they have a better grip on themselves and their lives on account of their wealth or status. There is zero possibility of a camel getting through the eye of a needle and hence, there should be zero possibility of anyone with an attraction to or dependence on material or monetary resources. Yet, Jesus being the Door to the kingdom of God and of heaven, it is possible by His grace. The uni-verse is a call to a primary reliance or total dependence on grace and the love of God manifested in Christ, regardless of our wealth or status. When we juxtapose the uni-verse with the beatitudes of the sermon on the Mount, Jesus is emphasizing the significance of our heart attitudes. We need to imitate Jesus in His humility, kindness, devotion, purity, peace loving attitudes and actions. Thereby, we get rid of any ‘humps’ or barriers in our relationship with our Father in heaven. Regardless of what we own or do not own, we should have the attitude of a poor and broken sinner before God, with no trace of pride, superiority or self righteousness. We depend on the Lord and His mercy and grace all the way through our journey of life, whether it be a time of hardship or a time of ease and abundance. The pandemic has taught us the lessons and usefulness of social distancing. The uni-verse teaches us the lessons and usefulness of spiritual distancing from placing great store by wealth and avoiding the love of money that is described rightly as the root of all evil. The love of money competes with the love of God. Money becomes the hump and the substitute for faith in God. It becomes the barrier to love God with all our heart, all our minds, all our strength and all our emotions. Even should the Lord bless us with sufficient resources, we should be detached and not make it an idol of our hearts and lives. Instead of being gripped by love of wealth, we should realize that we are in the grip or loving embrace of the Lord in all of life’s situations.