Daily Nugget:
A rich man came to Jesus unintentionally admitting he committed the same mistake that most would not dare confess. He confessed to having the same philosophy that sends most lost people to Hell. The man’s misunderstanding is also where most churches and religions err. His false belief was in his question, “… what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life” (Matthew 19:16).
This ruler (Luke 18:18) tried to work his way to Heaven by doing all he could to earn himself a place there. He and most religions believe that if you do enough good things, good will outweigh the bad, and God will let you into Heaven.
False religions teach that obeying and following traditions, rules, catechisms, rites, sacraments, pillars of the faith, or their religion’s teachings will get them to Heaven. Wrong! Unbiblical! That thinking distinguishes man-made religions from real Christianity!
True Christianity is the only “religion” that teaches one does not have to do anything to get to Heaven except believe what Jesus did for them and ask for salvation from Hell. One does not have to “pay” for salvation by doing good works because it has already been paid for for them by Jesus Christ’s sacrificial deed.
After receiving salvation, one will want to do all one can to please and obey God and His commandments out of love and gratitude. However, those good acts have nothing to do with getting saved.
All have sinned. All do not only commit iniquity but were born sinners. Because of sin, no one can get higher than the coffin lid after death. That is the bad news.
However, there is good news. There is a person who never sinned. His undeserved death on the cross is the sole payment God will accept to cover anyone’s sin. Jesus alone, God’s only son, was worthy enough to pay for our transgressions.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Trying to do good “works” to earn Heaven is not accepting Christ’s finished work on the cross. That rejection shows disbelief that Christ’s sacrificial payment was insufficient to cover a person’s iniquities.
Like the rich ruler, doing good deeds and living the way one thinks is right is not enough to earn eternity in Heaven. That man had done “right” his whole life, yet he was still looking for one more thing to do to guarantee eternal life.
Good deeds never satisfy God because they are not enough. Trusting that one loves us so much that He gave his life so that we can live eternally is the only way God will accept.
Are you 100% certain that you would go to Heaven if you were to die today, tomorrow, or a hundred years from now? You can be sure because the “ticket” has been paid for. All you must do is believe and accept God’s wonderful gift!
Today’s Thought:
“Worry not who you are, but whose you are.” — Author Unknown
Words to Understand:
eunuchs: usually refers to men that have been castrated and cannot reproduce
Today’s Reading:
Matthew 19
1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3 ¶ The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
13 ¶ Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
16 ¶ And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 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.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 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.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 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.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
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.
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.
30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
