Title All, Many
Contents
Text: Mark 12:29-31
In Chinese philosophy, the scholastic idea of “moderateness” is the key to “acting neither too much nor too short”. These studies have their own meanings and there are lessons to be learned. However, the truth spoken of in the Bible, the Word of God, is different. The truth does not tolerate middle ground. If it's right, it's right, if it's wrong, it's wrong. I will never tolerate anything that is either going or not, neither this nor that.
For example, in Genesis 12, God said to Abraham, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house." Abraham said, “God, I see. But please don't go too far. Please let me only go halfway through the place you mentioned.” In the word of God that says “leave”, you have to decide “to go or not to go” and “to leave or not to leave?” Similarly, in Genesis 22, God tells Abraham, “Offer to me your only son, whom you love, Isaac as a burnt offering.” Again, Abraham said, “Yes, I see. But let Isaac see his grandson and give it to him. Or can I just give you an arm or a leg?” Giving everything, all, all.
An old woman who had worshiped Buddhism in a church for a long time believed in Jesus and started a life of faith. One day, while praying, he rubbed his hands and prayed, and he said, “I pray in the name of Jesus, Namuamitabul.” Curious, when I asked the reason, he said, “I prayed so that either Jesus or the Buddha would hear my prayer.” This kind of prayer, this attitude, and this kind of faith, no one other than porridge or rice can answer. In a metaphorical way, ‘I will love God and I will love money’ is the same as ‘I will believe in God and I will believe in Buddha’.
Today's text is clear.
The important thing is to “do your best” with your heart, life, will, and strength. “All” means all. Not some, not half, not 99%, not all. “All of us belong to God”.
Isaiah 43:1 says, “You are mine, I created you, I redeemed you, I called you by name, and you are mine.” Because it is God's, God requires all (all, all, all). Then we need to be clear with “yes” and “no”. Please remember that in Revelation 3:14, the church in Laodicea was rebuked for saying, “You are neither cold nor hot; I want you to be cold or hot.”
In 1 Kings 18:21, Elijah calls out to the people when the 850 false prophets serving the Baal and Ashera poles and Elijah have a prayer confrontation. “How long will you hesitate between the two? If the LORD is God, believe in him; if Baal is God, follow him.” God answered Elijah's clear prayer with fire. The false prophet was killed in Kishon, and it began to rain from the closed sky for 3 years and 6 months.
The life of faith is clear.