The Excuse of Legalism
By: Jeremiah Baldizan
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (Matt 19:27)In this verse Peter and the disciples had just observed a rich young ruler come to Christ to inquire how he could obtain eternal life. He was told, “sell all you have give to the poor.. and come follow me” (Matt 19:21). The next verse says, “He went away sorrowful.” This man came to the “Light of the world” (John 8:12) and the condition of his heart was exposed like a thief in a spot light. Much can be said of men and their detestable love of their possessions, but there is something a little deeper with what Peter said to our Lord in this Verse. Peter speaking for himself and the disciples said, “ Behold we have forsaken all and followed thee.” The same Light that had exposed the ugly covetous idolatry of the rich young ruler’s heart, had also exposed the dedication and devotion in the deepest part of Peter’s and the disciple’s. This strong loyalty found in the abundance of the disciple’s hearts came forth from Peter’s mouth saying , “Behold we have forsaken all and followed thee; What shall we have therefore?” It is like Peter and the disciples seeing this man depart from Christ, a shame as it was, caused it to dawn on their hearts that God had changed them to “forsake all” following Christ and not even realize it.. This verse is so important for this generation in the United States. We have become a generation of rich young rulers in America, but we need to be a generation like Peter and the disciples. By following Christ’s example we will be free of earthly pursuits that weigh us down and cause us to be heavy laden under a yoke of bondage. What do we think when we look at men like the Apostle Paul who said, “I count all things but loss but for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:8) and “Neither do I count my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy” (Acts 20:24)? What do we say when we see the apostles give all they own and forsake their lives, departing with all their estates and riches? Or when we look Jesus words “"So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33 see verses 26-35)? Most of us either freak out and despair or think of any such demands as legalistic. The question usually arises in our hearts, “How can I possibly forsake all?” The answer is found on the blessed lips of our wonderful Savoir, “With men this is impossible: but with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:26). In other words we are called to live as Christ lived, to walk as He did, to count our riches as dung. We will forsake all as we stop looking at the demands of true Christian discipleship as too hard, therefore legalistic, repent for our love of created things, and replace it with a love and admiration of Christ Jesus. True Christians are “new creatures” walking in newness of life. So the question, “How can I possible forsake all and follow Christ?” The answer is to forsake all in our hearts first, then let your actions follow. There is no profit in doing things for God if they are not done from the heart, your worship must be “in Spirit and truth.” Our forsaking all will be a natural outflow of the love for God burning in our hearts as we reach out to this lost world. “For the love of Christ compels us.” (2 Cor 5:14). Forsake your love for this life, replace it with a love for Christ, then be dangerous for Christ’s kingdom. As you focus on Christ’s glory and the excellencies of His character , losing estate, riches, and your life will be the natural consequence as you follow His example. “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life” (Matt 19:29).
