FOUR
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Matthew
19:16-26
These
verses of Inspiration record a very sad, but very instructive incident. The
rich young ruler came to the Lord Jesus concerned for his soul and for
eternity. Yet, he went away without eternal life because he was very rich. With
sorrow he counted the cost of following Christ and decided the price was too
great. He wanted Christ and the world. When he could not have both, he chose
the world and despised the Son of God. What a sad, sad story this is! Yet, within
the story four questions are raised. The answers to these four questions need
to be understood by all.
“WHAT GOOD THING SHALL I DO, THAT I MAY
HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?” On the surface, this question may appear to be a noble
one, one that any thoughtful person ought to ask. But it is a question that
betrays a very proud, self-righteous heart. This man presumed that he was
sufficient in himself to meet whatever demands God himself might put upon him!
In essence, he was saying, “Master, you tell me what God requires, and I will
do it.” Being ignorant of God’s righteousness, he thought he could establish
righteousness for himself (Rom. 10:3). What folly! Sinful man cannot produce
righteousness (Gal. 3:10). God demands two things from all men that no mere man
can ever produce: righteousness and satisfaction; obedience and atonement.
Without these two things we cannot be made holy and we cannot see the Lord
(Heb. 12:14). Christ brought in everlasting righteousness. And Christ made
atonement for the sins of his people when he died as our Substitute.
“WHY CALLEST THOU ME GOOD?” After
raising this question, our Lord explained, “There
is none good but one, that is, God.” Let us never forget that no man is
good in God’s eyes by nature. And no man can make himself good by doing good. “For there is none that doeth good, no, not
one!” The only man in the world, since the fall of Adam, who was good and
did good, is the God-man Christ Jesus. And his goodness is of infinite merit
for his people. His obedience is good. His sacrifice is good. God himself
cannot refuse it! Because he is God, this good man, the God-man, is an
effectual, all-sufficient Savior.
“WHAT LACK I YET?” You may, like this
rich young ruler, be very moral. But “one
thing thou lackest.” And that “one
thing” is faith in Christ, a faith that surrenders all to him as Lord. He
proved his lack of faith by his refusal to surrender to and obey Christ as his
Lord.
“WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED?” With men it is
impossible, “but with God all things are
possible.” If salvation is up to man, or depends upon man, no one could
ever be saved, rich or poor. But since “salvation
is of the Lord,” salvation is not only possible, but absolutely certain for
God’s elect. Every chosen, redeemed, and called sinner shall be saved. All hell
cannot prevent it! Trust Christ alone as your Lord and Savior. If you do, the
Lord God has saved you by his marvelous grace.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #626
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S. Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net