This question was asked by the young ruler of Matthew 19. Is there a step by step formula or procedure whereby man gains salvation? Jesus clears it all up in Matthew 19:20f. Let us honestly seek to unravel the mystery as we consider the story from start to finish.

First of all, was the young man's question a legitimate question?: "What good thing can I do to gain salvation?" Jesus answered the question in time, but not before asking another revealing question: "Why callest thou me good? Only God is good." In effect, Jesus is saying, you don't even know who it is you are addressing, much less through whom salvation comes. Nevertheless, Jesus answered the question accurately. Salvation, in fact, is available to all who keep the commandments. Jesus knew long before Romans 3:23 was written that all have sinned and come short. But, even so, He did not elaborate on this obvious lie when the young man said that he had kept the law. Instead, Jesus knew of a deeper secret. He knew where the young man's heart was. He knew that his riches meant more to him than anything else. Jesus knew that before he could be saved he would have to give his heart to Jesus. This needs to be taken into account before considering what Jesus said next: "One thing is lacking. Sell what you have, give it to the poor, and follow me". Where one's treasure is there is his heart. Salvation cries out that Jesus is our treasure. This has to do with giving our hearts to Jesus.

Now, back to the issue of whether or not the question was legitimate. By asking it, I mean is eternal salvation something that can be bargained for? Is salvation something that man can be worthy of by his own merit? Is a man made worthy of it through any other avenue than through the blood of Jesus? To ask these questions is to answer them. Salvation is a free gift. [Romans 3:24] Man should not boast. Salvation is an expression of God's goodness. It is not an expression of man's righteousness. It is not man's achievement. It is the achievement of God. Jesus, of course, knew this. He made it very clear when the disciples were amazed and asked, "Who then can be saved?" [How can any man be saved?] Jesus said, "With men this is impossible." What is impossible on the part of man? Salvation is the indisputable subject of this conversation. It is impossible for man to be the author of his salvation. "But all things are possible with God". God is the author of salvation. It is God who reconciles us to Him. Even after we have done many great deeds we are yet unworthy. We simply must give God the glory and gratitude for our salvation. There is no step-by-step formula whereby man can merit eternal salvation. Salvation is not meritable. It is not an item to be bargained for because we have nothing of any comparable value to offer for it. We insult our Divine Host when we refuse His gracious gift and try to pay for it. This is what the young ruler wished to do. We need to drink in this lesson. We need to put aside whatever vanity it is in us that causes us to wish to be the author of our salvation and trust in the blood of Jesus for deliverance. We must trust in the Lord for salvation. [Joel 2:32] Our puny efforts can never equate with the blood of Jesus. We have been purchased with divine blood. Jesus is saying, in this story, that salvation is God's part. It is His doing. It is man's part to avail himself of the blood of Jesus. It is man's part to trust in it. It is this precious blood that has been appropriated for our sins and not our accumulated good deeds. It is possible only by God. Man cannot earn salvation. This is what Jesus is saying in verse 26. Salvation is not as wealth which can be accumulated asset by asset. When men say that they are worthy of salvation because of their meticulous obedience they deny what Jesus is teaching in this great lesson. Men are saved not because they have heard-believed-repented-confessed-and consented to baptism. Nor are they saved because they are members of the right church. Men are saved because the precious blood of Jesus was shed for them. They have been saved because an innocent one was willing to be executed in their places for crimes they committed. This is where the emphasis should be. To emphasize anything else at the expense of this does a disservice to the perfect Lamb of God. When men credit their salvation to anything but Jesus, there remaineth no more sacrifice for their sins. This is a profoundly serious lesson that Jesus is teaching.

Well, what about obedience and good works on the part of man? I sincerely believe that obedience and good works are evidences of saving faith. When a sincere seeker commits his heart (mind) to Jesus, he has no argument against baptism, continually confessing Jesus, or any of the other wonderful precepts of Jesus. With a glad heart, he is quick to render obedience as he learns. But, on the other hand, I sincerely believe that works are merely evidences of saving faith and not the essence of it. Only God can judge the degree to which the deeds of man evidence his faith. We now live under faith, a system of faith if you please. It is by the grace of God that believers are saved.

So, in conclusion, when people ask, "What must I do to be saved?" or "What good thing can I do to gain eternal life?", I shall tell them to sanctify the Lord God in their hearts. [I Peter 3:15] I shall tell them to sprinkle their hearts with the blood of Jesus [Hebrews 10:22] I shall tell them to let Jesus dwell in their hearts by faith. [Ephesians 3:17] If they do this they will be able to say, as Paul did, "It is no longer I that liveth but Christ who lives in me". It will then be God working in them as they work out the duration of their salvation. [Philippians 2:12] And when they have put on the mind of Christ and let Jesus come into their hearts, they will begin to produce fruits of the Spirit. The Spirit who has produced new life in them will lead them into all righteousness. [Galatians 5:25] They will gladly consent, from the heart, to baptism, repentance, confession, and many other wonderful precepts which should be obeyed from the heart. The religion of Jesus Christ is a religion of the heart. It must emanate from the heart or it is worthless. The most important step in the salvation of a sinner is to let Jesus into his heart. This step is not emphasized as it should be from the pulpits of many churches.

This is, I believe, the lesson that should be gained from the story of the rich young ruler. Please consider these thoughts. I believe them to be true to the Word.

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