April/May 2016 - Vol. 85
CHALLENGES IN LIVING TOGETHER AS COMMUNITY

 Christ calls young man on
                            street corner
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God Alone: Life without Attachments 
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by Tom Caballes

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” 
- Mark 10:21-22 ESV
The rich young man in this Scripture passage lived a flawless life - almost. He followed the commandments since he was young – what more can anyone ask for in a model disciple? He was sincerely wanting to follow God and inherit eternal life. Yet he had one huge and critical attachment – his possessions – which he could not let go. Abraham was different: he was willing to let go of Isaac when God tested him. Abraham fully trusted God, in spite of what he probably thought of and felt at that time. What about you? Do you have “possessions” which you cannot let go of, like the rich young man? Who or what is your “Isaac?” It maybe your career, reputation, riches, friendships, gadgets, or anything else. Check your heart – are you carrying any unnecessary baggage in life? Is God truly your rock, your hope and your salvation? Is God your only portion, true delight and real treasure? So How Do You Live a Life Without Attachments

So How Do You Live a Life Without Attachments, Living for God Alone?

  1. Take a look at your life. Is your life focused on following God with your whole heart, strength mind and soul? Are you willing to follow the Lord to the end, come hell or high waters? What drives you?
  2. Examine carefully what occupies your time, talent and money at the moment. Are those things your attachments? Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
  3. Try to live a simple lifestyle. At this age of consumerism, it is very easy to accumulate a lot of things that are distractions in life. New gadgets will give you momentary pleasure – until the next one comes along.
  4. The critical thing here is living your life with no strings attached. You have everything you have, but at an instant you are willing to let go of them.
  5. Is there anything that would make you think twice of letting go if needed? Even good things in life can become attachments. Are you willing to let go of your dearest relationships in life? Are you willing to die for your faith at any situation, anytime, anywhere?
  6. Are you willing to let go of your reputation, or be willing to be identified with Jesus and be mocked or laughed at? When you share your testimony to others, this is the risk you take. Are you willing to do it?
  7. Is God truly your ultimate source of happiness and contentment? Are you building up heavenly treasures that will not rust, be stolen or fade away? Are you looking forward in seeing God face to face?
Other Scripture passages:
  1. Wait calmly for God alone, my soul, because my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my saviour - my stronghold. I cannot be shaken. [Psalms 62:5-6 GW]
  2. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." [Genesis 22:10-12 ESV]
  3. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. [Matthew 6:19-20 ESV]
  4. Other references: Matthew 6:33; Matthew 7:13-4; Matthew 10: 37-39; Matthew 13: 44-46 and Matthew 16:24-26. 
For personal reflection or group sharing
  1. Is there anything in life that makes you think twice of giving up if and when you need to?
  2. Have you found true joy in God and God alone?

Tom Caballes is the National Senior Administrator and a National Coordinator of the Lamb of God, a community of the Sword of the Spirit with 7 branches located throughout New Zealand. Tom also leads Kairos New Zealand, an outreach program for high school, university, and post-university aged people. 

Tom and his wife Mhel and their two daughters live in Wellington, New Zealand.

 

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