Matthew 19:16-22 / Mark 10:17-22 / Luke 18:18-23…
What must I do to inherit eternal life? This man is clearly intent on achieving eternal life by his own efforts. Jesus answered the question by telling the rich man to keep the commandments. However, Jesus is not giving a plan of salvation. He is using the Law as it is intended (Galatians 3:24). The Law does not save (Romans 3:28), but it does condemn (Romans 3:19). Jesus was lovingly proving where this man’s heart really was.
There are things in each of our lives that would keep us from trusting Christ. They are different things for different people, but we must be willing to forsake them if we are to follow Jesus. Christ knew that this man could not follow Him and still keep his money (Luke 16:13). He won’t deny himself, he wanted to hold on to his own will, pride, money, ambition, control over his life. His unwillingness to give his money to the poor revealed that he had not even kept the first great commandment (Matthew 22:36-37).
Jesus did not give him a different requirement than what is asked of others. He declares to us all that we must forsake what keeps us from following Him (Mark 8:34-36). The rich ruler wanted to stay as the ruler when the gospel is that Jesus saves you from self-rule and becomes the ruler.
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