He Had it All and Lost it All, Part 1

The rich young man of Mark 10:17-22 is the subject of one of the saddest stories in the Bible. Just think of what this fellow had going FOR him:

• He was EARNEST: he RAN up to Jesus in his zeal for eternal life, v.17
• He was RESPECTFUL: he knelt before Jesus in humble respect, v.17. Remember that at this time the religious leaders HATED Jesus and wanted to kill him.
• He led an EXEMPLARY MORAL LIFE (outwardly): "all these (commands) I have kept from my youth" v.20

There are many like him today, who are serious about things religious, who greatly respect Jesus, and who are outwardly excellent moral examples.

However, there were several fatal flaws in this young man. Perhaps the first we notice is: He believed he could SAVE HIMSELF. Listen to his words to Jesus in v.17: "What must I DO to inherit eternal life?" What does this tells us about this young man?

• He saw his relationship to God and God's favor in terms of EARNING. He saw eternal life as a REWARD for his keeping of the commandments. He apparently believed that he COULD earn it if only he knew the missing commands or requirements.
• He had a totally OUTWARD view of the law. He seemed to have no understanding that God looks on the heart and not just external actions and words. In reality, the law had not yet accomplished its work in him, to show him his mouth-shutting sinfulness (Romans 3:19).

Many today also see eternal life as within the grasp of their religious deeds. They believe they can do what God requires to earn life. The only problem MIGHT be that they need to know ALL that God requires. To this young man Jesus was indeed a Teacher worthy of respect. But he seemed to see Jesus ONLY as the teacher who could inform him of the missing parts of God's will which he was to obey for life and not the ONE who could and would earn life FOR him.

This is deadly ignorance. How many are like him today. Jesus is the one who supplies the missing dos to their check list for eternal life. He is not the only Savior of lost men. Thinking he could DO enough himself to earn life blinded this rich young man to his need for Another to Do for him.

Have you come to the place where you are absolutely clear that there is NOTHING you can do in and of yourself to EARN eternal life? Have you tossed your list of DOS for LIFE and instead thrown yourself onto Christ the Savior for life? Have you seen that Jesus is the ONLY ONE who has done what it takes for eternal life? Have you reached out the empty, needy hands of your heart to take hold of Christ's perfect life, sufficient death on the cross, and victorious resurrection from the dead?

What must I DO to inherit eternal life? Stop trying to do, trust the One who has DONE.