How Can I Obtain Sternal Life?

As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before Him, and asked Him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Why do you call Me good?" Jesus asked him. "No one is good but a one-God. You know the commandments:
Do not murder;
Do not commit adultery;
Do not steal;
Do not bear false witness;
Do not defraud;
Honour your father and your mother.
He said to Him, "all of these I have kept from my youth."
Then looking at him Jesus loved him Adam said to him, "You lack one thing: go sell all you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow Me."
But he was stunned at this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.
Mark 10:17-22

This young man knew he lacked eternal life. He had insight and knew Jesus could give it to him. However, his diligence at keeping the law had not given it to him.

I wonder what he expected Jesus to say, perhaps more law, piety, something along the lines of all he understood perhaps.

He certainly did not expect Jesus to tell him to sell all his possessions. Other rich people did not have to sell their possessions to become a believer, yet why did this man have to do so? Was this a test? Was this Jesus' way of revealing the heart of this young man, he reliance and dependence on his own money?

For a young man who kept the law he also called Jesus 'good.' Jesus picked him up on this, only God was good. Jesus was not denying His deity, He was definitely challenging the young man, probing, uncovering, bringing to the light. This young man may have gone away grieving but this does not mean he did not come to truth and release his goods. Many of us do the same and come to the truth over a period of time. He may well have done just the same.

We Chrsitians know eternal life is given by the Lord when we come to Him in humility, acknowledging our need, repenting of our own way and inviting Him into our hearts. Eternal life is free and cannot be earned. Amen

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Rules?

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers, I will pout out my fury on them like water. Hosea 5:10 World leaders of church and state are now all highly visible. When they are not open to consultation or do not listen they make judgements that are judged as foolish by both God and man. In Australia we just celebrated Australia Day and at this time various people are honoured for their contribution to society. Our Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, without consultation, conferred a knighthood on the Queen of England's husband, Phillip. Almost to a person, Australians judged this to be foolish. Even supporters have now distanced themselves. Imagine what it is like when church leaders follow their own emotions or the emotions of their people and change what is acceptable to God. For example, no longer considering adultery something that precludes a man from ministry. We might think we are clever, but actually going with a sinful flow. Where is God in all this? My emotions ar...
Read more

Know Your Sword!

So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "if you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He will give His angels orders concerning You, to protect you, they will support You with their hands, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered him, "it is said: 'do not test The Lord your God." And the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time. Luke 4:9-11 In this third test Satan quoted scripture but Jesus knew His scripture and was not going to be deceived by his enemy twisting the truth. I am amazed at what Satan tempted Jesus with. He did not know Christ. He had succeeded in tempting the first Adam yet he was thwarted in this attempt. Jesus had lived 30 years and been tutored in godliness with contentment, he was prepared, baptised in the Spirit and sold out to the Father's purpose. Every time our enemy comes against us we ...
Read more

Little Things Grow

The boy's mother said to Elisha, "as The Lord lives and you yourself live, I will not leave you. So he got up and followed her. 2 Kings 4:30 The Shunamite woman had travelled to Mt Carmel to find Elisha after the death of her son. Although Elisha had sent his servant Gehazi to the boy with his staff the woman had come to find Elisha and was not leaving without him. I like this lady's spirit. I am sure The Lord God Almighty also valued her heart. She had a heart for God and made room for Him in her world. Now, having lost her son she knew what to do: find Elisha and not let him go until he came to restore her son. What made the Shunamite woman believe that Elisha could raise her son? Was it the same faith that made her provide him a place to stay in her home? I believe it was God working in her life. I am grateful for her faith, I can read and be encouraged. We do not know her name yet her story lives in scripture. What a little thing it was to feed Elisha and then provide ...
Read more