APRIL 12: ETERNAL LIFE

Focal Passage: Matthew 19:16-30

We live in a world full of DIY (do-it-yourself) experts. If you scroll online you will find no shortage of videos teaching you how to do just about anything. If you have a question about anything, just go to YouTube and you can probably find a video on it. 

Our culture has this DIY mindset. If something breaks, we fix it. If we want to improve, we work harder. 

Advertisement slogans are geared this way as well. Nike’s slogan is “Just do it.” The Army has a slogan that says, “Be all you can be.” Apple challenges the consumer to, “Think Different.” Even Taco Bell plays into this idea with their “Live Mas” slogan. 

That mindset is great for homes, careers, and goals, but it doesn’t work for salvation. In Matthew 19, we come to a story that reminds us of what keeps us from eternal life. 

The first thing that keeps people from eternal life is their own confidence in what they do. There is a young man who seems to have it all and he discovers that “good enough” is not enough. The man asks Jesus, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?” (v. 16). His question reveals his mindset that eternal life is something to be achieved. 

He lists his obedience to the commandments and, from the outside, his life looks morally impressive. However, this is the heart of self-reliance. People assume that if they can do good enough, they can earn eternal life. But salvation is not a ladder we climb, rather it is a gift we receive. It’s like trying to pay off a massive debt with just your spare change. No matter how sincere the effort, it will never be enough. 

The second thing that keeps people from eternal life is an attachment to what they have. Jesus challenges the young man and says, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your belongings and give to the poor … then come, follow me” (v. 21). The story ends with the man walking away sad because he had great wealth. Jesus is not condemning wealth. He is exposing what the man loves most. It is not a sin to have ‘stuff,’ the problem arises when the ‘stuff’ has you. 

This man’s possessions revealed his true trust. Some people may not struggle with riches, but we all have something we cling to. It might be control, comfort, reputation, or success. What are you holding onto that is keeping you from fully following Jesus?

The final thing we learn about what keeps people from eternal life is the resistance to letting go. Following this encounter, the disciples ask Jesus, “Then who can be saved?” (v. 25). Jesus responds, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (v. 26). This is the turning point. Salvation is not difficult; it is impossible … apart from God. That’s why it requires humility. We must stop trying to save ourselves and trust completely in Christ. 

The rich young ruler walked away because he couldn’t let go. The tragedy is not that he lacked goodness, but that he lacked surrender. Jesus doesn’t ask us to clean ourselves up first. He asks us to come, to follow, and to surrender. And what we give up in this life is nothing compared to what we gain in Him. B&R