#theemosthigh

In Genesis 22 God tests Abraham. Abraham passed the test. Why? Because he was faithful and obedient to God. God called and he answered.

“He said to him, ‘Abraham!’

‘Here I am,’ he replied.” (Genesis 22:1)

Abraham didn’t just answer, he did exactly what God asked of him. He was willing to sacrifice his only son because he trusted God that much. He trusted that even though God was asking him to give up everything—God had finally blessed him with a son when he and Sarah were old and now He was telling Abraham to sacrifice him! That God knew best and would provide for him, always.

Abraham is an example, an inspiration to us all. That we should trust and obey God as willingly as him. To the point that we give up all we have.

“Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?’”

‘Why do you ask me about what is good?’Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.’

‘Which ones?’ he inquired.

Jesus replied, ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’

‘All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?’

Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’” (Matthew 19:16-24)

We must be willing to surrender our priorities to our Savior and follow Jesus.

Notice how Jesus told him, “if you want to be perfect.” Now, Jesus wasn’t saying he could be perfect. Jesus is perfect, Thee Son of God The Most High. But what he meant is that this is how he could be a good person and please God. By helping the poor—loving his neighbor, the second greatest commandment.

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:37-40)

So, let us obey and trust God; love one another as God loves us; and forgive as God forgives us.

But most important of ALL to Love our God with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strengths, with every fiber in our being, with everything we are and have!

And God always comes first!