“What Good thing must I do in order to be saved?”
This is a question that many of us have grown accustomed to hearing. This is the common misconception of those that have missed the message of the Gospel. It is not about the good that we do, rather, it is all about the goodness of the One who took our place on the cross. Jesus alludes to this in his exchange with the rich young ruler, but it appears to be more of a “side note” than the focal point of the conversation. Look at Jesus’ response:
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “‘you shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
It is very probable that this rich young ruler is a religious leader. At the very least he is Jewish and has been since he was a young boy. Therefore, he would know that the goal is in reaching perfection according to the Law. He would know that he should not only keep ALL of the commandments, but he should also keep all of the “precautionary” laws as well. There are over 600 laws that are to be kept. Why would he question about specific laws? Why would Jesus respond by giving specific laws, and why does Jesus choose these six? Why didn’t Jesus go with the two greatest commandments of “Loving God” and “Loving Others?”
“All these I have kept” the young man replied.
How easy it is to get caught up in the good that we have done. When good works becomes the focus of life, pride can easily swell up, and spiritual blindness is the result. Jesus is not so much concerned with the actions of this young man as he is concerned with his heart. Jesus addresses the issue of the heart in his sermon on the mount:
Anyone who has anger in his heart has committed murder – Matt 5:21-22. Anyone who has looked lustfully at a woman has committed adultery – Matt 5:28. The same can go for the remaining commandments that Jesus addresses. How has this man gained his wealth? Has he cheated anyone to get it? Has he stolen from men or from God to accumulate it?
It is not that this man was insincere in his approach to Jesus, but rather, he has been blinded by the pride in his heart. Because of his pride he has completely missed Jesus’ message. He is unable to understand and is blinded to the truth.
Is there pride in your life that may be keeping you from hearing Jesus speak to you today? Is there an area of your life that Jesus wants to address that you may be blinded to? Open yourself to him right now and ask him to reveal to you the things that are hidden from you.
Jonathan Goble
Jonathan Goble
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