What Would It Take?
The question, “what would it take,” is a profoundly interesting one to me. It can be used about many different things: A young couple is often asked about their financial planning with the concept of what would it take [now] to be financially secure in their retirement? Many people, with an important event approaching ask, “What would it take for me to fit into that outfit I want to wear?”
On a much more important scale, I often wonder, “What would it take for __ to become a Christian?” Or to return to the Lord. Or to live a more dedicated life? In essence, this idea is being discussed in Luke 16. The rich man and Lazarus have lived their (very different) lives and are now in their two (very different) places awaiting the final judgement. After realizing it is too late for himself, the rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus back to help his brothers understand. Abraham’s answer may seem untrue to some because his response is that “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead” (Luke 16:31).
Why do I say some may think this an untrue statement? Why, obviously if someone I knew came back from the dead and told me to live differently I would change!
But would I really?
My mom has taught us for years that when it all “comes out in the wash,” people essentially do what they really want to do. Think back to the scenarios from earlier. Some young couples really do prioritize being able to retire and travel and are willing to make the sacrifices now to be prepared for later. Others like that idea, but – by their everyday choices – go ahead and spend that money now and have a different outcome. They did what they wanted to do. There may be an outfit I really want to wear to that spring wedding, but if the ice cream of tonight (and tomorrow night …) calls to me louder than that later reward, I am choosing what I really want to do.
After all, we have both Moses and the Prophets, and 27 more books that tell us of the One Who did die and come back from the dead to help us all understand. If we want to, we will choose Him.
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” John 5:39-40
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AUTHOR: Amber Tatum
