Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. [Matthew 19:21 KJV]
The answer doesn’t seem to match what Christians witness, does it? The question was:
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? [Matthew 19:16 KJV]
When we Christians witness to others who ask that same question, we take them through the Roman Road for background and give them the answer Paul gave the jailer.
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. [Acts 16:30-31 KJV]
So, are we lying? Did Christ lie? There seems to be a contradiction, doesn’t there. Which is why doctrine should not be confirmed by a single verse. There was a deeper exchange between Christ and the rich young ruler.
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? [Matthew 19:17-20 KJV]
Under the law, it was necessary to comply with all of the commandments. There is one that Christ didn’t mention, which I believe was covered in His answer.
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. [Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV]
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. [Mark 12:30 KJV]
Christ demanded of the man the one thing that kept him from loving God with all his heart. Just as He does from us.
What is in the way that is keeping us from following in His way? Do we believe there is a god? Do we believe that god is the Lord God? Have we accepted Him as our Lord and Savior? Did we get to this point and forget that it takes with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind? Or is there something – probably not wealth – that stands in the way?
Whether believing in eternity or not, consider the question. Is what we have to give to the Lord in order to follow Him really worth giving up eternity?
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