Who then can be saved?

Posted on September 11th, 2024 by Who then can be saved?

Matt.19.25 - When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Looking around me and the events unfolding each day makes me appreciate more the hope of our calling and the merciful nature of the God of the universe, the maker of all things.

Jesus had an interesting conversation with a rich young ruler, who in my view loved God and cared about the life hereafter.
The young ruler obviously recognised that there was a life hereafter, and went seeking after Jesus for answers just like many of us have done or doing, depending on where and what our convictions are.
We realized that after all the getting we still experience an emptiness that material possessions can't fill.
Just like some of us went seeking after 'something' we may not have understood then to fill the emptiness we felt, this young man approached Jesus and asked what he has to do to secure for himself eternal life.

The conversation below ensued between them:

And, behold, one came and said unto him,

Rich Young ruler:
Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? Matt 19: 17

Jesus:
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Matt.19.17

Rich young ruler: Which?

Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Matt 19: 18

Jesus continues:
Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matt 19:19

The young man saith unto him,
All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Matt 19: 20

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. Matt 19: 21

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Matt.19.22

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matt.19.23

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Matt.19.24

When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? Matt.19.25

Matt.19.27 - Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

Matt.19.28 - And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Matt.19.29 - And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

The above is very useful information from Jesus on how to build up treasure reserves in heaven. Unlike in the world where treasures are built up by accumulation, the reverse is the case in heaven. If we want to have treasures in heaven, we do so by giving to the poor.

Unfortunately, this young man who set out to acquire knowledge on how to be saved found the cost too great since scriptures told us that he left sorrowful because he had great possessions.
Scriptures reveals that the secret of the knowledge of the kingdom of God are discerned. To the natural mind, it's foolishness to accumulate treasures by giving away, but to the spiritual as revealed in scriptures, treasures can only be gathered by giving away to the helpless and downtrodden in the society, especially to the special group of people God care so much about - the widows and the fatherless. These sets of people, have no one to stand for them, and so God has promised to defend their course.
Going through this scriptures, I realised that God cares about us sharing with others, and not to hold unto, when we should give.
A river will remain fresh for as long as it flows. There has to be a balance for it to have enough water and at the same time flow to remain fresh. Too much water in a river causes a flood and the water is undrinkable because the ecosystem of the river is disturbed since it's not able to release the water coming into it fast enough for it to remain clean and fresh. Likewise, when the flow rate is faster than what it's receiving, it could lead to a draught. So there has to be a balance.

Back to the purpose for this message which is the difficulty of entering the kingdom being likened to a camel passing through the eye of the niddle - meaning it's impossible for man to enter into the kingdom of God on their own merits because it's obvious that the camel cannot pass through the niddle's eyes. This is why scriptures says its impossible with men but not with God.

For this cause, the son of man gave his life as a Ransome for many. (John 3:16) so that believing we might be save.
It's a very sad thing to realize after one is gone that there is a life hereafter.

From the opening scriptures, it is clear that the Father knew that man on it's own cannot be saved, which is why the Son has to come.
God made the provision in Christ Jesus for the salvation of man because scriptures tells us as recorded in Matt.19.26....

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

The redemption of man is only made possible through the working of the God head. It is a gift given by the Father to those who are willing to accept it.
The gift of salvation and the right to be called God's children is free but it is not cheap. It cost the Father his Son, and the Son, his life through the working of God's Spirit.
The Godhead therefore was actively involved in working out the redemption of mankind, and it will be to our own benefit to heed and freely receive the life he offers us.

So much was given to mankind in the work of salvation such that scriptures tells us that as many that would not believe are already condemned because they have rejected the free gift of God. What await them therefore is a fearful judgement.
Hear what scriptures says in Hebrew chapter number ten...

Hebrews 10 GNT
26 For there is no longer any sacrifice that will take away sins if we purposely go on sinning after the truth has been made known to us.
27 Instead, all that is left is to wait in fear for the coming Judgment and the fierce fire which will destroy those who oppose God!
28 Anyone who disobeys the Law of Moses is put to death without any mercy when judged guilty from the evidence of two or more witnesses.
29 What, then, of those who despise the Son of God? who treat as a cheap thing the blood of God's covenant which purified them from sin? who insult the Spirit of grace? Just think how much worse is the punishment they will deserve!
30 For we know who said, “I will take revenge, I will repay”; and who also said, “The Lord will judge his people.”
31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

Jesus said that it is impossible for man to enter into the kingdom of God on his own, and would need the righteousness that comes from God alone.
This therefore is the reason why we proclaim the hope of his calling, that Jesus has paid the price once and for all, and that we need not be condemned but rather receive the free gift of God.

God bless as you ponder on these things.

Peace!

Who then can be saved?

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