Matthew 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

If you remember the tale of the rich man and the eye of a needle, then you might remember that when he asked Jesus what was required to have life, Jesus said keep the commandments. This was the man’s answer and Jesus did not deny the young man’s commitment in this. This young man had kept the commandments.

But was it enough? Obviously not because Jesus then said, “if you would be perfect” which is not the same as keeping the commandments. Did you get that? Obedience is not perfection. Who wants to be perfect? That is the real question that needs to be addressed here. The young man did ask what he was lacking.

Are we good?

In our current vernacular that question is rhetorical. It implies that I have done enough, don’t ask more of me. It does not impact who we are, it says “I’ve done enough.” Who we are is the issue at risk.

Luke 23:28-29 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

Are we there yet?

V31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

Are we dry trees, barren of fruit, withered, useless for anything except to be burnt? 

Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hidden here in these three verses is the key to everything within the Kingdom. We skim over those four words in favor of the popular power words like teacher, principles, oracles and strong meat. Search again, the key is not in any of those words, and not even close to them.

Here they are and listen closely. “By reason of use.”

Sit there and tell me with all honesty that the Word of God has been written on your heart and that the end result is that nothing happened. You may have head knowledge but if it hasn’t changed you heart, you have not put it to use.

Psalm 4:4, 9:1 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Psalm 10:3, 6 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

Malichi 2:2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

By reason of use.