Where to go for Advice

We seek advice when we have a question we need answered, or when we are facing a decision that we need help with. That is, whenever we don't have our own solutions. A lot of the time, however, when we go to seek advice, we go with a particular answer we hope will be “correct” or that the person from whom we seek advice will agree.

I think it's safe to assume that the rich man from Mark 10:17-22 felt the same way.

“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth.”

This guy came to Jesus for advice on how to get to heaven, and by most standards, he was already doing pretty okay spiritually. I guess if I were him, I would expect Jesus to give me a pat on the back and say, “Dear child, you already on your way.” Instead, Jesus told him to go sell all his properties and give to the poor! Let's stop glazing over that. If someone told me that I'd be upset, and I don't even have much to my name. Now, imagine this guy, whom the Bible described as having great wealth, who had already been going strong spiritually and doing things for God. As most of us would, when he heard what Jesus said, his face fell, and he went away disheartened.

I guess one could say that the good news here is that at least he knows where exactly he stands with regards to the heavenly race. Wouldn't it be pretty cool if we could just walk up to Jesus in the garden and tell him, “Okay, I've done this and this and that. What else do I need to do?” Well, Jesus isn't physically on earth anymore, so we can't do that, but we still have a pretty cool alternative.

When Jesus was to ascend into heaven, He told His disciples that even though He would be gone, someone else was coming, the Holy Spirit. John 14:16-17 says,

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

Verses 25-26 also say,

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

With the Holy Spirit in us, even if Jesus was still on earth physically, we wouldn't have to travel all the way to wherever He was to get advice from the most reliable source. And now that He isn't here on earth, we don't have to be stranded without a guide. We just have to speak to Him from right where we are. Isn't that awesome?

A couple of things to remember:

• Even if you think you haven't gotten an answer, He heard and hears you.

• You might not get your answer in a dream or through a handwriting on the wall. A lot of times, God uses people or might just point you to a particular passage in His word.

• You might not get the answer you want to hear, just like the guy in the garden. God's desires can never align with the size of the flesh, so be prepared for that, and don't turn away because of it.

• Eternal joy should take priority over momentary pleasures.

Peace and love of Christ be with you all!