Barriers (Part 2) Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Barriers (Part 2)------------------------------------ Date: 12/19/2000 Keywords: "good" "legal "prove"" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: Mark 10:17-22* 17. And as He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and began asking Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 18. And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19. "You know the commandments, 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" 20.  And he said to Him, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up." 21. And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22. But at these words his face fell, and he went away grieved, for he was one who owned much property. Question How would you say that God rates your goodness?   Practical help Today we continue looking at the story of the rich young man. Read the whole passage, and today we'll focus on verses 19 to 20. Jesus, seeing that the young man missed his point in verse 18, summarized to him some of what is required by the law to attain eternal life. People who take a deep and honest look at themselves would be hard pressed to say they've never violated anything on this short list, yet the young man confidently claims to have "filled the bill" so far. But what does the bill say? In his mind, and through his philosophy of life, it probably says: Can anyone prove that I've broken one of these commands? If not, then I'm legal. Or you might say to yourself "I'm technically good." There, the pressure's off till the next observable temptation. Is that where you're at with a pornography habit? Is it so sufficiently hidden that in your mind there's no "legal" damage being done. No one knows. No one can prove it. No damage. You're still technically good in the eyes of those who know you, so that'll be good enough for God. But what is good enough for God? Think that over today. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2000 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."