What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life? – Part 1

This week, Michael writes that the greatest danger is not failing in something important but that you'll succeed in something that doesn't really matter.  The world's definition of success is diametrically opposed to God's definition of success.  

According to Mark 10:17-27, a rich young ruler came running to Jesus and asked him a question:  “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

The rich young ruler ran up to Jesus seeking affirmation.  He said, "What must I do to inherit eternal life" Jesus knew what was in the heart of man.  He asked the rich man a question to examine his heart:  "Why do you call me good?  There is none good except God." Jesus as a rabbi, knew that the Jewish rabbis never allowed others to call them good. As the apostle Paul said, "in my flesh dwelleth no good thing."

Jesus also knew that the young man had studied the Ten Commandments. On another occasion, a Pharisee had asked Jesus, "what is the greatest commandment?"  Jesus had answered, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind and with all thy strength.  And the second is like unto it.  Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."  The first four of the Ten Commandments are about our relationship with God. Jesus reminded the young man about the other six commandments regarding our relationships with others.  

The rich young ruler said that he had kept all of the commandments that Jesus mentioned. He thought that inheriting eternal life was about doing good works.

However, the human heart is deceptive above all things and desperately wicked. The flesh lives to fulfill the lusts (over desires) of the flesh.  One of the desires of the flesh is to receive the praise and affirmation of others.

Let’s continue Michael’s message on inheriting eternal life in the next post.

In Christ, Brian