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The Desire of Ages
will must be given into Christ’s control. The very holiness of God was
[520]
offered to the young ruler. He had the privilege of becoming a son of
God, and a coheir with Christ to the heavenly treasure. But he must
take up the cross, and follow the Saviour in the path of self-denial.
Christ’s words were verily to the ruler the invitation, “Choose you
this day whom ye will serve.”
Joshua 24:15
. The choice was left with
him. Jesus was yearning for his conversion. He had shown him the
plague spot in his character, and with what deep interest He watched
the issue as the young man weighed the question! If he decided to
follow Christ, he must obey His words in everything. He must turn
from his ambitious projects. With what earnest, anxious longing, what
soul hunger, did the Saviour look at the young man, hoping that he
would yield to the invitation of the Spirit of God!
Christ made the only terms which could place the ruler where he
would perfect a Christian character. His words were words of wisdom,
though they appeared severe and exacting. In accepting and obeying
them was the ruler’s only hope of salvation. His exalted position
and his possessions were exerting a subtle influence for evil upon his
character. If cherished, they would supplant God in his affections. To
keep back little or much from God was to retain that which would
lessen his moral strength and efficiency; for if the things of this world
are cherished, however uncertain and unworthy they may be, they will
become all-absorbing.
The ruler was quick to discern all that Christ’s words involved,
and he became sad. If he had realized the value of the offered gift,
quickly would he have enrolled himself as one of Christ’s followers.
He was a member of the honored council of the Jews, and Satan was
tempting him with flattering prospects of the future. He wanted the
heavenly treasure, but he wanted also the temporal advantages his
riches would bring him. He was sorry that such conditions existed; he
desired eternal life, but he was not willing to make the sacrifice. The
cost of eternal life seemed too great, and he went away sorrowful; “for
he had great possessions.”
His claim that he had kept the law of God was a deception. He
showed that riches were his idol. He could not keep the commandments
of God while the world was first in his affections. He loved the gifts of
God more than he loved the Giver. Christ had offered the young man
fellowship with Himself. “Follow Me,” He said. But the Saviour was