The story is told about W.C. Fields, a popular comedian of the mid 1900's, who could make an audience roar with laughter, but he was a very unhappy man. Religion played little or no part in his life. He enjoyed making fun of unfortunate individuals such as drunks and those who were mentally deficient, and lampooned preachers and do-gooders. However, when he faced death, he started reading the Bible, much to the surprise of his old showtime buddies. When he was asked about this new interest, he replied with a quip, "I'm looking for loopholes."
How typical of us all! We are so like the rich young ruler who had a terrific track record, no doubt raised in a strictly ruled home, complying with all the requirements of what was considered a circumspect life style, obeying all the laws and regulations commonly considered essential for salvation. Yet, he asks the question," What must I do further to be saved"? He evidently felt that something was missing, after listening to Jesus, he was not confident of his future; he wanted to cover all his bases, to make sure there were no loose ends dangling in the judgment. He was looking for loopholes to gain salvation. Then Jesus gave him the bad news, there are no loopholes, there is no easy path, for the road to salvation is steep and difficult and the gate is narrow, and few there be who find it. This is the road of self-sacrifice, the road of the cross. Jesus told him to do what was the most difficult test of self-sacrifice for him, to sell all his wealth and follow Him in the path of self-denial.
The path of self-denial will be different for each of us, it will be geared to our particular situation and circumstances. Some will be asked to sacrifice the comforts of a home to serve under rigorous conditions in a mission field, some will suffer persecution by family or friends, some sacrifice a career and even a livelihood and bear financial loss, some may suffer alone and unloved in isolation or even imprisonment. At times we are all tempted toward self-indulgence at the expense of health, vitality, personal safety, and/or extravagance for the sake of appetite, self-glorification and exultation. When tempted thus, we should stop and ask the question, does this indulgence glorify God? Does it promote the work of God? Does it increase or decrease our ability to serve God?
Are we looking for loopholes? We are to take up our cross and follow Jesus; Self must be crucified; there are no loopholes.
