stephen R Harrison

The rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-30) was so close to salvation, but oh so far away. Jesus revealed he couldn’t get there by being perfectly good (he wasn’t), keeping the whole law (he didn’t), or giving everything to the poor (he wouldn’t). None of those could equal salvation because he couldn’t save himself. Neither can we.

Interestingly, I had another pastor once tell me he heard a sermon that said the rich young ruler had another chance and went to heaven. Sadly, another pastor with us agreed with him. I asked him where did the pastor who preached the sermon read that, because it wasn’t in the Bible. While he looked to give me the false sermon, he never gave me the true Scriptures. That guy, who probably didn’t need to be a pastor, was often wrong about most theological issues, almost as if he had never read or considered the Bible.

The Bible is clear about how we are to be saved (John 3:16; Romans 3:23; Romans 10:9-10, 13; Ephesians 2:8-9)The rich young ruler went away sad because Jesus clearly revealed being good and good works couldn’t get you to heaven. Jesus asked him to sell everything he had and he wouldn’t. Even if he had, it still wouldn’t have been enough to get him to heaven. That price was way too high and only one could afford to pay it. Only Jesus paid for our sins in full on the cross. Jesus was revealing this man’s sinful heart. His god was money and material possessions, which could never save. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul (Mark 8:36).

We can’t get to Heaven on our own terms. Hopefully, the rich young ruler did receive Christ by grace through faith at a later time. The Bible doesn’t say. I pray he did. We all have an opportunity to obey the gospel and receive Jesus’ gift of salvation by grace through faith. We can’t get there by being good, doing good things, or even giving to the poor. Jesus is the only way, truth, and life (John 14:6). May Christ reveal the motive and status of our hearts toward morality, good works, and salvation, and may we be found repentant and receptive of Jesus’ gift of salvation.