Read: Matthew 19 verses 16-22

If people were asked today if they would like to possess eternal safety, most would answer in the affirmative. If they were then asked how they could achieve it, the majority would be clueless or believe it depended on something they had to do or achieve.

In Matthew chapter 19 we meet a YOUNG MAN who approached Jesus with the question, ‘Good Teacher, what GOOD THING SHALL I DO THAT I MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?’, verse 16. Jesus never turned genuine seekers away but He always led them to the truth. He highlighted the key barriers to the YOUNG MAN finding the truth. The natural confidence and exuberance of YOUTH led him to conclude that he must DO SOMETHING GOOD to possess eternal life. However, the Bible teaches, ‘For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast’, Ephesians 2 verse 9.

Jesus quoted the Old Testament commandments to him. He declared that he had kept ALL of these.  The truth was that he had not! He had been selective and left others unkept. He could not say that He loved God with all his heart, soul and mind. He loved riches more! He could not say that he did not covet. He coveted wealth and possessions above all else! Jesus had not quoted the two commandments to him about loving God and not coveting.

The YOUNG MAN thought he was eternally safe but the truth is, he was not!  There were many earthly riches that prevented him gaining eternal security. He might have desired salvation but he wanted it on his terms. It is little wonder that Jesus told him to go and sell all he had and give to the poor if he wanted to be rich in the sight of God. He went away sorrowful and empty handed, verse 22. Please do not leave this meditation in the same condition! ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved’, Acts 16 verse 31. Face up the challenge of the hymn writer in the final meditation to come in this particular series of three on Saturday.

To be continued