Today’s Encouragement is Mark 12:34 NLT Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Not far –
The scribe had just spoken that to love God and your neighbor is more important than obeying the Law. He knew this to be true, yet… as Jesus said, he wasn’t quite ’there yet’… he was not far, he was close but…
What else is there besides knowing this truth? Love God and love others? These are the two greatest commandments. Isn’t that enough?
Well… no. The Kingdom of God is ruled by our King Jesus, and belief in Him as Lord, Savior, Son of God… is The essential final step into the Kingdom.
Knowing about God and Jesus, acknowledging His truths, reading the Bible, going to church, and even doing what He says, all these can get us close… to this same point of being ‘not far’… However, it is only Faith in Him, belief in Who He is, reliance on as him as the One who saves us from our sin…which brings us fully and finally into The Kingdom of God!
Father God, open our eyes to Your Truth that thinking, knowing, and doing are not enough… but only believing in Jesus as our Savior brings us into Your salvation.
Our God Saves
Paul Baloche
Today’s Encouragement 