WHEN FOLLOWING JESUS COSTS EVERYTHING PART 6: THE RICH YOUNG RULER — A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE

WHEN FOLLOWING JESUS COSTS EVERYTHING

PART 6: THE RICH YOUNG RULER — A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE

Mark 10:21–22 (NIV)

Jesus looked at him and loved him… “One thing you lack… Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor… Then come, follow me.”At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

In Part 5, No Turning Back, we saw that following Jesus Christ requires unwavering focus. Looking back leads to distraction, comparison, and ultimately compromise.

You cannot move forward effectively if your heart is still behind you.

Opening Thought 

It is possible to be close to Jesus—and still walk away from Him.

Not because you hate Him. Not because you reject Him. But because you cannot let go of something else.

Key Phrase

“One thing you lack…”

Insight 🔍

This man came with the right question:

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

He had:

Discipline

Morality

Religious consistency

But when he encountered Jesus Christ, something deeper was revealed. Jesus looked at him—and loved him. Then He said:

“One thing you lack…”

That means:

You can be good—and still lack

You can be consistent—and still incomplete

You can be close—and still not surrendered

The Real Issue 💔

Jesus told him:

“Go, sell everything… then come, follow Me.” This was not about money alone. It was about what had a hold on his heart.

His wealth had become:

His security

His identity

His backup plan

(Just like we saw in Part 3 👀)

DEEPER APPLICATION 🔥

The Bible says:

“He went away sad…”

Why?

Because:

He wanted Jesus—but not at the cost of his comfort. This is where many believers struggle today.

They want:

God’s blessings

God’s direction

God’s promises

But when surrender demands letting go of:

certain relationships

certain habits

certain ambitions

They hesitate.

Spiritual Warning 🚨

Anything you cannot give up for God can cause you to walk away from God.

Not loudly.

Not dramatically.

But quietly—like this man.

POWERFUL TRUTH 💡

You can be one decision away from full surrender—and one attachment away from walking away.

Real-life Reflection 🧭

Many believers are:

active in church

disciplined in lifestyle

sincere in intention

Yet still holding onto “one thing” they cannot release.

And that one thing becomes the barrier between:

admiration and discipleship

desire and surrender

Reflection Questions 🤔

What is the “one thing” I struggle to let go of?

What has become my security outside of God?

If Jesus asks for it, will I release it?

Am I following Jesus—or negotiating with Him?

Prayer 🙏

Lord Jesus, Search my heart. Reveal anything I am holding onto that competes with You. Give me the grace to surrender fully, without hesitation. I refuse to walk away from You because of temporary things. Help me to choose You above all else. Amen.

Call To Action ✍️

Identify your “one thing” and begin the process of surrender today. Don’t allow one attachment to cost you your full walk with God.

Next In The Series ⏭️

Part 7: What Is Your “One Thing”?

In the next devotional, we will go deeper into Jesus’ words:

“You still lack one thing…”

And uncover how to identify and deal with the hidden attachments that compete with your devotion to God.

God is speaking, are you listening?

Prince Julius Nenebi-Darkson 

(EL-PJ God's penman)