Is there anything that I can do to be saved? Could it be possible if I really try to live my life as a genuinely good person, then God would accept my works? As we study the story of the rich young ruler who came to ask these questions of Jesus, let us pause to examine our own hearts. Is there one thing we must do to earn salvation?
Now behold, one came and said to Him, “GoodTeacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16 NKJV)
Not such an unusual question. It is a question asked by most people at some time in their lifetime. Nor is it unusual that we turn to ones whom we might respect as teachers, leaders, or even philosophers. He had heard that this Jesus of Nazareth was wise in teaching the scripture. Perhaps the young ruler wanted confirmation of what he already believed to be true. His life had meaning. He had found Being in this world. As many in the day, he may have also believed that his wealth and position were given to him by God for his own righteousness.
Even those of us who know Christ as our Savior, sometimes come to Him asking a similar question. What one thing can I do to earn your blessing?
Good Teacher
Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. (Luke 18:19 NET)
Note here that Jesus is compelling the man to see Him as more than merely a teacher; but also, as God Incarnate. Furthermore, Jesus is about to burst this young man’s own concept of himself as being good.
One Thing to Consider: What really is life?
Jesus continues with, “But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17 NKJV)
At this point Jesus is pointing out more than just what the young man must do to have eternal life; but rather what he must do to be spiritually alive in the present. For of a certainty, he was unaware of his spiritual death. After all he believed himself to be very much alive. But actually he needed to be saved from his spiritual death.
The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life. And he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:35-36 NKJV)
the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. (John 5: 37-40).
Jesus is the Bread of life without whom life does not exist
For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6: 33-40
Without Him…
For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6
if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Galatians 3: 21-22
There is no true life without Him. We are all spiritually dead until acknowledge our sin, repent, believe that God IS sovereign Lord, and Jesus died on a cross to pay the price for our sin. Then He rose again from the dead. Only then might we really know life because of faith in Him who is life. First this young ruler must realize that.
What is the perfect will of God?
So, back to the story, Jesus had said, “if you want life, you must keep the commandments.
18 He (the young ruler) said to Him, “Which ones?” (Matthew 17:19)
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
So, Jesus begins to list some of the 10 commandments for the young ruler.
To which the young man, excitedly replies,
“Teacher, I have wholeheartedly obeyed[ag] all these laws[ah] since my youth.” Matthew 19:20 NET
Wow! He though he had nailed it. Completely obvious to the fact Jesus had just said there is no one good but God. Then Jesus had presented to the young man the truth that life is more than this fleshly body, life is from God and spiritual life is necessary to walk with God.
One Thing You Lack
21 As Jesus looked at him, he felt love for him and said, “You lack one thing. Go, sell whatever you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21 NET
What is the first commandment?
The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Jesus also taught,
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
In Jesus request of the rich young ruler to give away all that he had to give the money to the poor, He was striking at the heart of the matter. This young man’s heart did not love God with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength. Obviously, his wealth meant more than following Jesus. Furthermore, he did not love his neighbor as himself. Afterall he had no concern for their hunger or need if his were being met.
Was his money the problem? No, his heart was. He wanted to know what good act or what one thing he could do to save himself. Even when his sinful nature was pointed out to him, he did not see himself as unworthy. He came there wanting his own opinion of himself to be validated. When it was not, he left sad. So to be saved, one must first recognize their own need of a savior.
22 But at this statement, the man looked sad and went away sorrowful, for he was very rich.
Who can be saved?
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” Matthew 19: 23-25
Why do you think they were surprised? Much like today, we tend to believe people who appear to be blessed have God’s favor. Sometime this is the farthest from the truth. Those who are so blessed may know Christ or they may not. We see so many who appear blessed on this earth yet their hearts are so hardened toward God they do not realize what they are missing. When Jesus then was asked, who then can be saved? He answered
Jesus looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans,[aw] but not for God; all things are possible for God.”
Salvation is of God.
What was the one thing the young man lacked? It was an intimate relationship with God, based on faith in Jesus Christ as His only begotten son. It is like these words written by Horatio Bonar in 1861
There’s nothing that my hands can do
To save my guilty soul
I cannot cleanse my filthy stains
Or make my spirit whole
For nothing but the blood of Christ
Can all my sins erase
I dare not claim my righteousness
But hide within His grace
‘Tis Christ who saved me from the depths
God’s pardon I’ve received
I’m washed within His precious blood
My heart is sprinkled clean
What about us who do follow Jesus?
Peter began to speak to him, “Look we have left everything to follow you!”Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, there is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive in this age a hundred times as much—homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, fields, all with persecutions–and in the age to come, eternal life.[ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:28-31)
Note this one thing. On this earth we will gain more than we ever gave up; but it is with persecution. What we gain is life and a personal day by day walk with Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit within us to guide us. Our riches are more than this world could ever understand, both now and eternally. Saved by Grace alone. What greater treasure could we know than that!
One Thing about where our focus must be
Also Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matthew 19:28
Now the disciples became focused on this thought so much they did not hear the rest. We know this because the next thing He told them was:
Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be [f]accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken. Luke 18:31-34
But where were they focused on?
35 Then[bh] James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 They said to him, “Permit one of us to sit at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.”
38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I experience?”[ 39 They said to him, “We are able.”[bj] Then Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I experience, 40 but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give. It is for those for whom it has been prepared.” Now[ when the other ten heard this,they became angry with James and John. (Mark 10: 35-40 NET).
A lot like us, right?
Sometimes we get so boggled down in the here and now. Or in what do they have? Does God like them better than me? The truth is: sometimes the trials are there because only He knows how much pressure it will take to transform us to look like Jesus. One day we will look like Him. Every reward we receive at the judgment seat of Christ, we will recognize were gifts of His grace. He saved us and He lead us each step of the way. Then we would take every treasure or reward and lay them down once more before the feet of Jesus.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.