Lesson 2589

(Lesson 2589)(01-23-19) Luke 18:18-27
    “And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

   In today’s quote, Jesus made the point that it is almost impossible for a rich person to be saved; However, I believe that Jesus was making a much broader point with what He said therein. Remembering that the Law of Moses would remain in full effect until such a time as Jesus had “fulfilled” it, Jesus was bound to teach the rules of that law as the means by which a person was to, at that time, seek redemption. That being said, the broader point was that without the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ which comes through faith in Him, it was/is impossible for ANYONE to be eternally saved. Although being rich is certainly a stumbling block for those seeking salvation, it most certainly does not prevent one from being born again through faith in our Lord Jesus. ~