What must I do to inherit eternal life?
There are two times this question is asked of Jesus that I would like to specifically address.
The rich young ruler asked this question. Jesus answers this man. “You know the commandments,” and lists off some of the commandments. After this he tells the young man “there is still one thing you lack. Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”
The second is asked by an expert in religious law trying to test Christ. Jesus responds by “what does the law of Moses say?” With this asked the man answers Love you God with all your hear, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind. And, Love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus then tells the story of the Good Samaritan.
In another teaching by Christ he separates the people on the right and the left; the righteous from the unrighteous. He the talks to those on the right and says this “come you who are blessed by my father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you cared for me. I was in prison and you visited me… These righteous will go into eternal life.”
All these stories revolve around eternal life. They also revolve around helping, goodness and gentleness to your neighbor. I wonder how much of loving your neighbor is important to attaining eternal life. I wonder why there is a lot of emphasis on this concept in the scriptures.
Of course I do not want to take away the factor of belief and John 14:6. That is essential first and foremost. In fact all of these stories address following Christ and loving the Lord. But I do also know that faith without deeds is dead. It is definitely important to help your neighbor. I also want to stress the idea of loving your neighbor. Sometimes we do these things out of duty and the commands put on us by Christ. Is that loving your neighbor or is it just out of obedience.
Thoughts?
2 comments:
Thoughts...
"By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)
Faith = justification + works
"=" is more of a "therefore"
You said "I wonder how much of loving your neighbor is important to attaining eternal life." I think that was the mistake the rich young ruler made when he asked, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus' reply wasn't actually some form of a challenge, wherein if the ruler accomplished it, he would have eternal life. It was more of a "the proof is in the pudding" magnifying glass that Jesus put on his heart.
Jesus wasn't testing to see what the ruler would do -- Jesus was putting this in front of him to expose what was already in there.
Consider the fact that the ruler told Jesus he had kept all the commandments since his childhood -- Jesus could've jumped all over that (as common sense would tell us he hadn't kept all the commandments), but chose not to and instead allowed the man to go further down the road of salvation by works.
The ruler's error was not in his failure to do the last work, rather, it was in attmpeting to be justified by works.
Think then to the end of the story, when it is said to Jesus, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus replied, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."
The end brings it all together: it is realized that no amount of works will justify us -- in any way, shape, or form. But faith, this gift of God, is the vehicle through which grace saves us.
You are right, faith without works is dead. It is out of faith that works are birthed -- they are the fruit (along with justification). However, to put works on the other side of the "=" would put us back to Roman Catholicism and undo the Reformation. Works must remain on their side of the "=". If they are in any way, to any tiny minute degree on the left side of the equation along with faith, then we are in danger.
Having a foundation of faith often helps offset what you mentioned -- that is, doing things out of duty, rather than delight in God (our primary duty as humans).
Sola Fide...
thanks luke,
i like what you said. "Jesus wasn't testing to see what the ruler would do -- Jesus was putting this in front of him to expose what was already in there."
it shows his true colors.
when i think faith without works is dead i have this equation in my head. faith-works=dead. now that to me, (my own conclusion) shows that works is obviously a part of faith. not the whole but just a part that needs to be lived out.
Post a Comment