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by Sandy Shaw
What must I do to inherit eternal life? What a question! There are many people today who have no idea that there is such a thing as eternal life.
In Luke Chapter 18 and at verse 18, we read of a certain young man coming up to Jesus Christ. It is the rich young ruler, and he has a question to ask Jesus.
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
This young man was a most attractive person. He was a ruler. He was religious. He was interested enough to come this close and ask this question, and he is asking a highly relevant question.
He is rich, and yet, all is not well with him. Something is upsetting him. Never think that those who are visibly wealthy are all right. Seldom is that the case.
He realised that although he was devoutly religious, he had no assurance that he belonged to God. He was searching and seeking, but, apparently getting nowhere.
Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good. No-one is good, except God alone.”
We have to be careful as to whom we call good, and what we say about people. Sometimes, it is better to omit certain words. Sometimes it is better not to say anything.
Jesus says to him, “You know the commandments.” You know what it says in the Word, in the Scriptures. Jesus refers this religious wanderer to the Authority and Reliability of The Word of God. "Do not commit adultery. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not give false testimony. Honour your father and mother.”
The young man replies, "I have kept all these since I was a boy." He was a moral young man. One could see moral excellence in his behaviour. He was living uprightly and honestly. When he looked at his own life he awarded himself a pass mark.
He is saying, "Jesus, I've done quite well. I've done not too badly."
And yet there is something missing in his life – something that was continuing to trouble him - something important - and it would NOT go away.
Jesus sees that something is missing, and when Jesus saw what was missing, Jesus said to the young man, "Sell all that you have. Give the proceeds to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven." Just get rid of your worldly wealth, and you will be spiritually rich.
This would have happened, not because he gave away his money or sold his possessions and property, but because he obeyed Jesus. "Then, come follow ME."
This young man was being called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, but he responded in the wrong way. How we react to the words of Jesus is vital.
This man's values were lop-sided. His mind was torn and divided. He was in two minds and he does not know which way to go. His love of goods, possessions, property and position, was greater than his desire to follow Jesus Christ.
When he heard what Jesus had to say to him, he became very sad, and Jesus saw it.
His face revealed all that was in his heart and mind. So often, our face shows everything.
This young man walked away from Jesus and we never hear of him again. Sometimes it doesn't take very much to make someone walk away.
Jesus went on to teach that riches and simple and obedience do not live together easily. It is possible, but it is not easy to handle and control. The lottery will probably ruin a life a week. It is easier to receive a million pounds than handle it.
Do notice how often in these passages in Luke’s Gospel Jesus refers to money and how we use it.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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