Mark 10:17-27 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Rich Young Ruler

¹⁷ As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” ²⁰ And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” ²¹ Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” ²² But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

²³ And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them,“Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ 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.” ²⁶ They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

For those who place considerable value and trust in themselves and boast of their intellect, their self-discipline, their own integrity, their own understanding, their own wisdom, their own worth and wealth, they will find it most difficult to follow and obey the commands of God and of Christ and the leading of YHVH’S HOLY SPIRIT.

Lots of believers boast in their church membership and the number of years that they have served in an organized religious institution.

Lots of believers boast about their particular religious institutions, worship facilities, denominations and Pastors.

Lots of believers boast in their obedience to the 10 Commandments of God and their abstinence from certain social and religious taboos.

Lots of believers boast in their repentance, their water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and in their gift and sign of having been endowed with the HOLY SPIRIT – speaking in tongue.

Lots of believers boast in their religiosity and the strength of their Faith and in their tithing and giving. (Matthew 7:21-23)

In their minds they are rich in righteousness and rich toward God.  But they have not considered being rich in generosity toward their fellow believers and the children of YHVH.  

They have become twisted. They boast in their works and feel entitled to salvation because of their works.  They have confused Loving and FAITHFUL obedience to YHVH with their own human principle of works in exchange for pay and reward.

And without realizing it, they have become disciples and worshipers of themselves and of their own religious creations, institutions, traditions, churches, achievements, accolades, wealth and intellect. (Exodus 20:3 and Deuteronomy 5:7)

2 Corinthians 10:17-18
But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

We must remember that it is YHVH who saves us and not we ourselves. And we must remember that it is impossible to enter the Kingdom of God through works or through the religious institutions, traditions and churches of men.  

“But if we were to humble ourselves, confess our sins and repent; all things are possible with God.”

Copyright © Othealor W. Prince 2016
All Rights Reserved

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!