Just Barely ...or MORE ....the Wayfarer 7/31/17

Just Barely ... or MORE
 7/31/17

Matthew 19:20-22

King James Version (KJV)

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

²¹ Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

²² But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

A young man came to Jesus, searching for more than he had, more than he could obtain for himself, more than what had been delivered by the "teachers" in the temples, the scribes, Pharisees and lawyers listened to intently over the years of his life.

He recognized that there was MORE to be had than what he had been given... and he wanted it.

He sought to find out what more was required of him to acquire something he knew he was still lacking.

He believed in God, believed in the teachings taught, knew by heart the scriptures used in those teachings, yet he burned in his heart to assure that "MORE" that he sought.

He knew also the "riches" he already held, the pleasures provided by those riches, the "power" those riches provided him.

He was torn in soul, knowing that these would never be enough to secure that precious MORE that he sought.

He believed, but "just barely".

The guidance already received, was followed, "just barely".

The answer to all of his questions had been answered  by others before he sought the guidance of the Son of God Himself, but also "just barely"

When given the answer sought of how to acquire  that "MORE" he had to decide whether to accept the answer given in totality or not... and he went away sorrowful, because he was willing to search, willing to listen, willing to heed "just barely"

Hebrews 11:6

King James Version (KJV)

⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

His diligence was lacking, his acceptance was lacking, his willingness to hear and heed the answer to his search was lacking....his faith was shown to be lacking.

He could not see beyond the reward of the present, even though he recognized the lack of that reward to provide that precious "MORE" that he sought.

The empty space that remained within his heart and soul remained empty, unfillable by the things already obtained as choice was to be made between continuation of their existence and pursuit of more of the same unfulfilling rewards, or the greater "MORE" that he knew to be available.

Psalm 14

King James Version (KJV)

14 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

² The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

³ They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

⁴ Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.

⁵ There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.

⁶ Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge.

⁷ Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

When face to face with the Savior Himself, that young man would not commit to total belief and acceptance.

His heart remained "just barely" comprehending, as he held on to the those things that took him away "sorrowfully".

The salvation of Israel, and the entire race of creature called man has been delivered, and still the large majority hear, "just barely" accept only those things that allow them to mouth belief, never conceding the necessity to fully and completely submit to the authority of their creator.

The young man that approached Christ was offered the means to "MORE" but remained unwilling to give the required repentance in return, remained unwilling to give up treasures of a world that could not and would not follow him beyond the borders of its temporary existence in exchange for the "MORE" he claimed to seek.

What he found when he departed was what he was willing to find, "more" of the sorrow, more of the emptiness, more of the separation from GOD  that plagued him with the desire to find the means of its escape.

Men will always seek "more", seldom recognizing that there is far "MORE" to be had than the more which they expend so much effort to obtain, only to find that it remains behind once eternity is reached cheating them of the "MORE LIFE" that could have been theirs had they been more willing to diligently search with patience for that reward placed second, rather than first, within their search.

As men seek "more" they tend to find it, at least temporarily. 

They also find their want for "more" increases, ever seeking greater portions of whatever they place first in their search... wealth, power, escape through ever increasing dosages of whatever drug chosen for that escape, whatever, "pleasure", chosen  that never proves to be quite "enough".

Though they never admit that their search is inadequate, they cling to "just barely" believing in God, "just barely" believing in eternity itself while "just barely" clinging to existence while never gleaning quite enough.

Few find the "MORE" sought by the young man who approached Jesus, while far too many make the same decision made by him to keep more while sacrificing far "MORE" than they realize.

Jesus stated:

John 10:10
¹⁰The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

That abundance, that "MORE" remains available to the few willing to exchange the more that is brought by the thief, continually seeking only more destruction and death, both of body and of soul while seeming to provide ever more of whatever is being exchanged for that abundance of life. eternal.

"MORE" need to search diligently for the "MORE" given willingly for so little, while giving "MORE" than ever given by any before or since...

Jesus gave MORE, and continues to give MORE  to those willing to accept MORE.

He was not "Just Barely" sacrificed. He did not "Just barely" choose to give that sacrifice. He was not "Just Barely" resurrected.

There was no room for lack allowed in that sacrifice, and no lack given through that resurrection.


Those willing to seek diligently, to accept willingly what is found will not "just barely" repent, nor is that acceptable in return for MORE.

If "MORE" is found, then anything less is insufficient, and there is no further need of more.

2 Timothy 1:12
¹²For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Are you in search of more, or have you found MORE?

Have you found ENOUGH?

the Wayfarer