October 3, 2021
“And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18) What an intriguing question. We know there is not anyone that is “good” enough to inherit eternal life. “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is God.” (Luke 18:19). (In the instant case the ruler was right in calling Jesus good, because He truly is God.) The truth is, man is not good enough to inherit eternal life. Could it be then that man is righteous enough to inherit eternal life? The ruler’s response to Jesus was he had kept all of the commandments from his youth. Isaiah reminds us that: “… we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;” (Is. 64:6a). The man’s wealth had placed him in a comfortable place. He had power and prestige and the thought of giving it all up was more than he could fathom. How many, I wonder, are allowing “stuff” to come between us and God? With Jesus you have maximum security. The way the question is posed, it seems as if he is asking what work he can do to assure eternal life. Salvation cannot be earned; it is God’s gift. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them: (Eph 2:8-10). What must we do to inherit eternal life? “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31)
Rev. J. Amos Jones
