What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?
The greatest danger is not failing in something important but that you’ll succeed in something that doesn’t really matter. The world’s definition of success is diametrically opposed to God’s definition of success.
According to Mark 10 beginning in verse 17, a rich young ruler came running to Jesus and asked him a question: Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27. And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
The rich young ruler ran up to Jesus seeking affirmation. He said, “What must I do to inherit eternal life” Jesus knew what was in the heart of man. He asked the rich man a question to examine his heart: “Why do you call me good? There is none good except God.” Jesus as a rabbi, knew that the Jewish rabbis never allowed others to call them good. As the apostle Paul said, “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.”
Jesus also knew that the young man had studied the Ten Commandments. On another occasion, a Pharisee had asked Jesus, “what is the greatest commandment?” Jesus had answered, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind and with all thy strength. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” The first four of the Ten Commandments are about our relationship with God. Jesus reminded the young man about the other six commandments regarding our relationships with others.
The rich young ruler said that he had kept all of the commandments that Jesus mentioned. He thought that inheriting eternal life was about doing good works. However, the human heart is deceptive above all things and desperately wicked. The flesh lives to fulfill the lusts (over desires) of the flesh. One of the desires of the flesh is to receive the praise and affirmation of others.
Jesus asked the rich young man to see what price he was willing to pay to inherit eternal life. Even though the young man was sincere in his desire to do the right thing, the real question is not, “are you doing the right thing?”, but rather, “are you doing the right thing for the right reason?” In other words, “Where is your heart?”
In Jesus’ time, they prescribed to the “prosperity gospel.” They believed that material blessings were the result of living a righteous life. They thought that a life of misery and poverty was the result of a sinful life.
However, Jesus preached a message that was contrary to their religion. Looking to the rich young ruler, Jesus loved him. In order to receive grace we must accept the need for grace. With a heart of humility, we must first acknowledge that “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.” The hallmark of grace is that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.
Jesus said to the rich young ruler, “only one thing you lack.” The young man didn’t think that he lacked anything. Similarly, Americans are rich in material blessings. Jesus said, “Go sell everything you have and give the proceeds to the poor.” Money is a wonderful servant but it is a terrible master. You cannot serve God and mammon. Ye are slaves to whom you obey. Money gives status, power, position, and influence in a fallen world. The incentive for material wealth is a powerful influence. However, Jesus said, “Is God your God, or is your money your God?” There is irony in the motto on US currency that says, “in God we trust.” The irony is that the money itself is the God in which most Americans trust.
The rich young ruler obeyed the commandments related to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” However he had broken the first and greatest commandment: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength. The first of the Ten Commandments says, “thou shalt have no other gods before me.” In other words, “there shall be no other gods between your face and my face.”
The question is, “am I living for God or am I living for my possessions.” The rich young ruler walked away grieved, for he had great possessions.
God has given us all things richly to enjoy. The enjoyment is living in fellowship with our Father, His son Jesus Christ and one with another in the household of faith. Material blessings pale in comparison with the greatest blessing: that we should be to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael