“What shall I DO to get into heaven?”
This was the question posed by the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-27.
17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
Here’s the thing…there isn’t anything you can DO to have eternal life with God. Well, there is one…You must believe in Jesus Christ. He is The Way.
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
In the story of the rich man ruler, Jesus knew the young man was good and obeyed certain commandments. Yet, there was one that He didn’t mention (maybe intentionally?)…“You must not have any other god but me. Exodus 20:3. Why? Did Christ know that command difficult for this good man? Did this wealthy young man have his priorities wrong and allow his prosperity to lord over him?
Jesus wasn’t saying that rich people couldn’t get into heaven, or that if you have much wealth you are to get rid of it all in order to have eternal life. He was stating the obvious of what He knew what the young man valued most in his life…his wealth.
What about you? Do you value something, someone, some place more than your relationship with Jesus Christ? Remember, anything you prioritize ahead of God is a little god.
As you enter into the new year, I want to encourage you to seek God first in your life. DO Matthew 22:37, Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ It is my prayer that you will love the Lord with all your heart and seek Him first in all you say and do. When you (we) do, everything will be okay.
Like the rich young man, there are many good people in this world. Yet, if they don’t accept Christ as their Savior, they won’t be walking those streets of gold. This breaks my heart thinking of so many wonderful folks who DO so many great things, but have yet to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. It does give me a sense of urgency to share Christ with others. Let’s be bold and share Christ and His love to others.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
