Read Luke 18:18-25
“Good” People Don’t Make It To Heaven.
A certain ruler asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus mentions five of the 10 commandments. The man responds, “All these I have kept since I was a boy.” It’s as if he was saying, “I’ve been good enough!” Which is ironic since Jesus just got done saying, “No one is good except God.” Good people don’t make it to heaven, because no one is good enough. Perhaps we are like the rich ruler, we are unable to see our flaws and imperfections. So Jesus reveals to this man his biggest struggle and that was his money and possessions. Jesus says to the man, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come follow me.”
Jesus made it clear that it wasn’t enough to just give up the thing that was a stumbling block to his spiritual life. He had to replace it with something. So Jesus said, “Come follow me.”
Surrendering the very thing that is hindering our spiritual walk is necessary, but then one must choose to follow Jesus. Choosing Jesus is the greatest decision we could ever make for he completes our life. He provides forgiveness of our sins and he provides eternal life. So let all that we do and say be for the glory of God and for his kingdom. Let us be busy building God’s Kingdom and not ours.
Sadly, the rich ruler was unwilling to give up his earthly possessions and so he didn’t follow Jesus.
What is that you struggle with? It may or may not be money and possessions. Maybe it’s something else: lying, anger, fear, worry, popularity, power, The need to Be Right, sports, relationships, etc.
God, reveal to each of us the area of struggle so we can surrender it over to you, daily if necessary, so we can follow you to the fullest.
