Chapter 5: Practice From The Heart

Page 9

“The young man said to him [Jesus], ‘All these things I have

kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow me.’ ”

“But when the young man heard that saying, he went away

sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven.’ ”

“And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go

through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19: 16-24

Don’t think for one moment that Jesus was saying that this rich young ruler was not going to get into Heaven [have eternal life]. That is not the message of Jesus in this parable. Actually, just the opposite occurred. Jesus

confirmed to this rich young ruler that he would get into Heaven by his words in verse 17 when he says: “But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Keeping God’s Commandments Means Eternal Life!

Right about now, many Christians will be faced with a very difficult

choice to make. Maybe this is you? Should I believe the church that says I have to do nothing for my eternal life? Or should I listen to the words of Jesus who tells me that eternal life will come to me by keeping God’s commandments? Ever hear this message preached from a pulpit?

The choice for you is clear. Choose to listen to God’s Holy Word and

if it conflicts with the pulpit of the church you are attending — deal with it. Confront the false teachings or leave the church and find another fellowship. If you listen to apostasy from the pulpit because the fellowship of others within that particular church is more important than God’s Word — you are

simply one of those folks that Jesus is referring to in Matthew 7:21-23.