What shall I do to inherit eternal life?
This is an incredibly important question. The answer is often misunderstood. We are not all called to just give away all our material possessions. The key is for us to submit to and put YHWH first in our lives. We are to put him above all other things. For the rich young ruler, Yeshua knew that money held a tight grip on his heart. It was this which he needed to let go of in order to find proper relationship with the Lord. For others, like Abraham, money was not a problem.
Money is indeed a stumbling block for many, but with God all things are possible. Let us put Him first above all things in our lives. In this way we shall store up treasures in heaven and find eternal life.
The Rich Young Ruler
18A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 20“You know the commandments, ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.’” 21And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” 22When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25“For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26They who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”
28Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.” 29And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life.”
Take heed and listen to what God asks from you. This is not a generic call to give up your family or house or money. We are called each of us to lift God up in our priorities until He is absolutely number one. There can be nothing else above Him in our hearts.
Though it seems hard to put Him first, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life.
What choice will you make?
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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.