Snare of Undiscovered Idolatry

If the rich young ruler had applied for church membership in the vast majority of churches today, he would have passed the test with flying colors. Before long, he would have advanced to church leadership. Probably he would have been made the treasurer. Yet he was blind and lost. He didn't know himself. He thought he was a good person. He had a low view of what the Law requires. He was self-righteous. He also loved his money and property, and when Jesus asked him to sell it and follow him, he couldn't do it. That was the end of the conversation. The lesson is clear. You can't serve God and mammon. You will love one and hate the other. Though the young man sounded like one who had a great respect for Christ, the truth is that he hated Christ. He was willing to part with Christ, but not his goods. You cannot serve God and any idol. Why is it that men do not come to Christ in faith truly? One of the reasons is because they have an idol at the center of their lives that has the pre-eminence in their affections.