I know I might be ‘walking a tight rope’ with some here, who may read and want to conclude that I’m teaching ‘salvation by works’, and not ‘grace’. But that’s the problem when we’ve been taught man-made doctrines and we only can see the coin as being ‘heads or tails’; and I’m saying it’s neither (the way many see ‘grace’). And ‘No’, I’m not trying to ‘reinvent the wheel’ when it comes to basic core ‘Christian’ theology either.

The past two days, we’ve looked once again, at the conversation Jesus had with a young, rich ruler who came to Him seeking how one might obtain ‘eternal life’. Most people today want to associate that expression with ‘getting saved’ (whatever that means to you). And we saw where Jesus pointed him to the ‘law’, or ‘keeping the commandments’. But it soon becomes apparent that this young man who was told by Jesus that if he really wanted to ‘enter life’, it would require that he be ‘fully in’ which can only come about by ‘selling out’.

And we quickly learn the young man was not willing nor prepared to make that commitment, so he walked away, full of sorrow. This really got the attention of the disciples who were with Jesus at the time because even they had to pause, asking Jesus in astonishment...”Who then can be saved?” (Matt. 19:25). I mean...let’s be honest here, Jesus always seemed to be ‘raising the bar’ when it came to teaching what one must ‘do’ in order to ‘enter the kingdom of heaven’. His response was quick and to the point: “Yes, with men (and the way they perceive things) this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (19:26). But how many are willing to stick around to...hear more?

Ever since I had my personal ‘awakening’ (nearly 6 years ago), I have continued to beat this same old drum of a message in saying we’ve been sidetracked and overly consumed with this question of whether one is ‘saved’ or not...when we should be asking repeatedly: ‘Are we abiding in Jesus?’ (What safer, more ‘secure’ place is there?)

What did the message Jesus gave to that young ruler boil down to, that he was not willing to do? All three gospel accounts say the same thing: “Follow Me”.

Jesus did not counsel this man to simply ‘make a profession of faith’ or to ‘accept Him as his personal Savior’ or to ‘just believe on the name of the Son of God’. He said “Take up your cross and follow Me...and then you will have treasure in heaven”. If you want to ‘enter life’ ...then you are going to have to be ‘fully in’, which means we all have to ‘sell out’...to the One who gives us 'life' (John 10:10)

Friends, I’ve said this before and remain unmoved on this position that I have come to discover, experience, and believe with all my heart based on what I see in God’s word. This ‘process of abiding in Jesus’... cannot even begin...until we come to the point that we are ‘all in’ and ready to submit to His Lordship. Why bother calling Him ‘Lord’...if we are not in a place where we are willing to do what He tells us to do? (Luke 6:46).

We never hear from that young man again in scripture so we have no idea what became of him; but I think at times that when others like him have a similar ‘come to Jesus moment’, and it becomes clear that what was asked of that young man...is being asked of us, many also walk away, saying to themselves - that is too steep a price to pay. Then comes those affirming voices that assure you that ‘God is not like that; He understands how flawed you are and because of His love and mercy...you are fine just the way you are.” So one can easily just travel down that road and find plenty of other churches who will affirm that belief and tell you what you want to hear, and that God does not require a total heart surrender. You might also note that when that man turned and walked away...Jesus did not chase after him begging him to reconsider by offering him other options that were less demanding.

Perhaps that young ruler found him ‘another group’ who were ready to take him in, maybe even let him teach a class and appoint him to be the deacon of finances, etc.

This might be a good time to pause, and go read Matt.7:13-20; 2 Cor. 11:3-4, 14-15; and 2 Tim. 4:3-4); Go ahead...I’ll wait here for you. 

Do you know why so many sincere ‘believers’ have struggled in their walk of faith, continuing to have ‘good days and bad days’, traversing up and down those ‘hills and valley’s...yet never really producing ‘good lasting fruit’? It’s because they are not abiding in Christ; and Jesus made no attempt to hide the fact that ‘apart from Him we could do nothing’ , when it comes to producing this kind of ‘lasting fruit’ (John 15:4-8,16-17)

Some might be quick to ask me: “How can you conclude that people are not abiding in Jesus?”, and all I know to do is point to God’s word, and then to what most sincere people will readily admit to: They continue to sin on a daily basis, and the word says: “Whoever abides in Him no longer sins” (1 John 3:6). So if you’ve been taught that ‘nobody can do that’, my next question would be: “Who told you that?” (Gen. 3:11). And since when does one’s personal experiences and observations and ‘opinions’...override what God’s word has clearly stated? (1 Pet. 4:1-2; John 5:14; 8:11; 1 John 2:6; 3:9; 5:1)

I don’t say this to anger, offend, nor to discourage and frustrate you; honestly...that is not my intention here at all. If anything, this ‘revelation’ should serve as encouraging inspiration...if one is willing to simply say: “Wow...maybe I’ve had it all wrong, and there really is a better and easier way to do this.” But this is where ‘spiritual pride’ can rise up, just like it did when Jesus tried to convey some similar truth to those ‘religious folks’ in John 8:31-47. You might go read over that now. And for whatever it’s worth...I still remember vividly, that Sunday morning 5 years ago when I came across vs. 32-36 there and was stopped in my tracks, hearing the Holy Spirit ask me: “What do you think I came to set you free from?”

Yeah...that was a pretty intense morning of revelation there and was the ‘spark’ that began these daily postings of mine, after of course...spending more time in study which resulted in having the scriptures open up to me, just like they did for those folks in Luke 10:21; 24:32,45). And here’s the good news...God is no respecter of person; He’ll do the same for you as well; that is...if you are willing to ‘come to Him’ with an open and ‘whole’ heart, ready to be transformed. (John 5:39-40). But that’s on you; and we know not everyone is interested in ‘coming to the light’ (John 3:19-21).