A Pause To Ponder God's Word
"What More Must I Do?"

 The successful wealthy young man came up to Jesus asking, "What good thing must I do to get eternal life. (Matthew 19:16) This is an interesting question for this youngster. At first glance it seems a very sincere query and we applaud him for asking. We would welcome such inquisitive people walking into our churches. But, there is more here than first impressions present. Careful listening along with the remainder of the account reveals that this young man had some profound misconceptions about eternal life. Ones than many people hold and unless they too, like this man, are confronted by the truth, they are destined for a devastating surprise when they stand before Christ.

We tend to dwell on the man's refusal to release his hold on his wealth. Or, be freed from the hold his wealth had on him. Either way, we know that he walked away sorrowfully, unchanged and without that which he desired, eternal life. Yet, his sorrow was not only because he went away wealthy, but empty, but because his misconceptions were replaced with Truth.  He now had no excuse. He had heard the truth. Just what the truth he learned? He learned that there was nothing he could do to get eternal life! He came asking what good thing he had to do. Later in his conversation with Jesus he affirmed that he kept all the commandments from his childhood (another misconception, for no one can keep all the commandments), but recognized that he still lacked something. "What do I still lack?" he asked. (Matthew 19:20) He still didn't understand that he could do nothing. His lacking was not something he could provide. Not all his talents, success or wealth could purchase or achieve what his heart longed for. There was nothing he could do to get eternal life. He must surrender to, believe in, and follow Jesus. Only Jesus could graciously give eternal life. New birth, eternal life, is something graciously given. We receive it through faith in the One who gives it.

We must be careful not to fall into this man's trap. We speak about grace, but often plummet into an achievement mentality, striving to "get" eternal life. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works! (Ephesians 2:8) This does not negate our responsibility to live holy obedient lives. Grace and love provide all we need to live such lives as well as demand that we do.  In Christ we are liberated from what binds us and what we so tenaciously grasp so that we can receive all God in Christ graciously gives us.

Beloved let us surrender anew to Christ and cease our feeble attempts to achieve eternal life. Let us inform our neighbors and friends that all their attempts to be good people so they can go to heaven are useless. No one needs to walk away sorrowfully! All can walk in the joy of the Lord, for "whoever believes in Christ shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Keep Close to Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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