Inherit Eternal Life

"Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (1)

"Now as He [Jesus] was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, 'Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?'

"So Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is God. You know the commandments: "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not bear false witness," "Do not defraud," "Honor your father and your mother." '

"And he answered and said to Him, 'Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.'

"Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him. 'One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.'

"But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (2)

This is a fascinating passage. In reply to the young mans question, Jesus told him that obedience to the commandments of God was necessary if he would obtain eternal life; and He quoted several of the commandments that show man's duty and relationship to man. When the young man said that he had kept these from his youth, what did he still lack, Jesus responded that there was one thing he lacked, and then said to go, sell all he had, give to the poor, and come follow Him. Basically, Jesus was referring to the first four commandments, those that relate to our relationship with God.

When a lawyer had questioned Jesus, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (3)

"One thing you lack," said Jesus, but that was a vital principle. He needed the love of God in his soul. The young man had the privilege of becoming a son of God, and a coheir with Christ to the heavenly treasure. But he must take up the cross, and follow the Saviour in the path of obedience to the principles of God's kingdom. "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (4)

1. Mark 10:17.
2. Mark 10:17-22.
3. Matthew 22:36-40.
4. Mark 8:36.