Day 325: Hebrews 10:32–39

We are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and obtain life” (v. 39).

I don’t remember a whole lot about my life before salvation, because I was very young. But I can tell you that Christ’s authority over my life has dramatically changed both my demeanor and life practices. I was once overly sensitive and very fearful. I would ten times rather have watched television than studied His Word. My character showed it too. Oh, I have a long way to go; but change is not only possible, it’s also gloriously inevitable, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you [and in me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).

I have waited until now to ask you to reflect on some words of Jesus from a previous story we read of the rich young man, so that we can compare this guy with Zacchaeus. Please observe Luke 18:24–25: “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

A rich young ruler. A chief publican. Both wealthy men. One walked away lost, while salvation lodged at the other’s home. Salvation was not impossible for either one of these rich men. Both had the Son of God standing right there in front of them . . . willing and able to deliver. The difference was that one saw how much he had to lose. The other saw how much he had to gain.

Notice, Christ did not ask Zacchaeus to sell everything he had and give to the poor, as He did to the younger man. Maybe because once Zacchaeus regarded Christ as life’s true treasure, his wealth didn’t mean nearly as much to him—which I believe is probably God’s primary point to the rich.

A cynic might say, “Why did he only give away half to the poor?” Maybe because it took every other shekel to pay back all the folks he had cheated! Anyway, God isn’t looking to take away our possessions. He is looking to make His Son our greatest possession.

“My righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him” (Heb. 10:38). If you’re facing a choice right now between pressing forward and drawing back, look at these two men. Which one do you want to be more like?