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Suicidal Saints (Keith)
ON SUICIDE (Wahshing)
Hi Wah Shing (Royston Ong)
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Is it really possible that a camel
can go through the eye of a needle?
Can any of us make it to Heaven ! ..... on our own .. Hi Royston, Is it possible to move mountains ? Salvation does not depend upon our knowledge or ability, but God's generous grace. From our vantage point it can be impossible. The key point for us, however, is to be reminded about the dangers of our self-righteousness, intelligence,confidence, pride ,wealth , possessions ; they can become our stumbling block, our choking point, our diversion, and our downfall. Jesus did not say it was impossible - yet he indicated how difficult it was by the hyperbole of the camel going through a needle's eye, which if taken literally would indicate impossibility. Very difficult, but not impossible. The disciples concluded that it was impossible; they also felt that the saying of Jesus also implied that none could get eternal life. To them a rich man seemed to have so many advantages that if he could not get salvation. No one else could possibly succeed. "Who then can be saved?" they despairingly ask. The answer of Jesus is obscured by the translation of the preposition by the word "with". He said in effect, "If you stand by the side of men, and see it as men see it, it appears impossible; but stand by God's side, see it by His side, and all things, even the salvation of both rich and poor, becomes possible". "With God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1: 37). Other things follow from this greatest of all God's acts - that He has given us His own son for a saviour. Thus the "impossible thing of law", that sin should be condemned in the flesh, has yet been accomplished, for Christ overcame every impulse that was contrary to His Father's will and so was an acceptable offering for sin Rom. 8:1-3). Paul can therefore say: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13). “No one,” replies Jesus. No one at all. There is no chance for anyone to enter the Kingdom of God if you think you can pull it off by yourself. However, there is every chance if you let God do it. It can be done because “Everything is possible for God.” Everything possible for God. Jesus puts it very bluntly in this story. If you are in the pilot’s seat, then you’re back to the camel and the needle. It can’t be done. Only when you are willing to change seats, and let God drive, is there hope. Only then can it be done because... everything is possible for God. The poor inheriting the kingdom (the undeserving?). In another place Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” How amazingly backward to what we expect. The poor. They have no resources. They have no power. They can barely feed themselves and provide for their families. They don’t contribute to the community. How can they inherit the kingdom. What have they done to deserve it? Nothing. Just like the rest of us. The kingdom is as much a gift for them as it is for us. It can be done because... everything is possible for God.
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Outline:
Thanks Wah Shing by Royston Ong, 2001, Oct 29 
The camel and the eye of a needle by Ivan, 2001, Oct 29
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