Re: Another interpretation of this parable...

You didn't answer my questions. Have you been perfect? Have you sold ALL your possessions?

Dear Vektek,

In giving up all i have given up (distractions, sin, religion of man, false doctrines of man, desire for holding popular opinions within mainstream christianity even if they are false, etc), i believe i have met and even exceeded what Jesus has required of me to buy the pearl of great price (I have bought mine!) and I believe the more that we give up, the more He blesses us with deeper relationship with Him (this pearl can become even more beautiful and valuable, think "rewards judgement"). 

I don't believe i have been "perfect" by what we normally mean when we say perfect, but i believe i have been perfect in the eyes of Jesus as to what He asks and that He is deeply pleased with me.  Have i sold all my possessions as in my laptop and my blender?,  no.  But then nor am i a literal branch having attached myself to a literal Vine, though i have certainly done so figuratively.    

And why just 90% of your free time MST? Why not 100% percent? You're slacking! :)

Yes, i must be :).  I believe 90% of our free time directly sowing into a deepened love for Jesus is enough for us to break through and be ushered into the kingdom of heaven (which is within us and which begins now on earth).  This is not to say that we wouldn't continue to abide in Him with our heart connected to His in the other 10%, we certainly would.  Myself i sow directly to the Spirit in a higher %, but i recommended 90% as something that would be a spectacularly dramatic shift for the vast majority and it would be noticed by the Living God as some serious asking, seeking and knocking.  If somebody looks up a recipe or watches a funny video in 10% of their free  time, i believe the Lord is perfectly ok with this.  The principle is that our first love becomes the Living God and a desire to sit in His beautiful presence, seeking to love Him deeper, seeking His voice and His leading and sowing into deepened intimate relationship with Him.    Let the seeker do this for 3 days (or maybe 7?) and see if s/he hasn't developed a new love for it and no desire to go back.  We have a choice as to how fast or how slow we decide to run towards Him and He does take notice and richly blesses the deep seeker who wishes to break through into a deepened love for Him.  Those with eyes to see, please let them see.