Faith Is Fully Dependent on Jesus – October 24, 2022

A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.
Luke 18:18-23

Faith Is Fully Dependent on Jesus

By all appearances, he was a wealthy and successful young man who genuinely wanted to do good things. He seemed to say and do all the right things. In case there was something good he hadn’t done, he asked Jesus for guidance. All in all, he appeared to be a good man who did many good things.

But appearances can be deceiving. He still lacked the one thing that can truly make a person good in God’s sight–a recognition of his sin and trust in Jesus as his Savior.

We can learn much from this young man and his interaction with Jesus. The seeming goodness of our lives is not what makes us a good fit for God’s kingdom. It is only the perfect goodness of Jesus, his complete sacrifice for our sins, and his enduring desire for our salvation that makes us a perfect fit for God’s kingdom.

What must you do to inherit eternal life? Place your trust in what Jesus has done to save you and follow him to the heaven he won for you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to rest daily in your good and perfect love for me. Amen.