Altar call

    This question from Matthew 19:16, "Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”1 has the potential for a new reader of the gospel to focus on getting to heaven or being saved. In After you believe by N.T. Wright2, explains the nature of Jesus' response to this man that we are to live communally with the believers. He didn't just save us and take our lives to be with him in paradise, rather than emphasizing its benefits, there's also a mission to do here in our earthly life which is associated with our calling.

    "We want to enjoy his presence here on earth, not just acquire the benefits of forgiveness and being part of his family."3 Living communally with the people of God entails the joyful part of living ourselves for God here on earth. As we truly enjoy the God-given gift of grace, we ought to share his love and extend his forgiveness to others. The benefits that we obtained from the Lord are not merely for our own betterment we ought to extend them to the family of God and even to the lost souls of Israel.

    The rich man even then tried to justify himself following the decalogue to Jesus in the story. But he was entirely missing the whole point of what Jesus was trying to convey and even Jesus' core belief in his query. 




Footnotes:

1 Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2019&version=NIV (Accessed February 5, 2023).

2 The Revelation Explained. http://www.therevelationexplained.com/tag/after-you-believe/ (Accessed February 5, 2023).

3 Cunanan, Fer, Miracles: Week 4. Sermon at ENCM/S, North York, ON, February 5, 2023'

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