Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler Explained
The story of Jesus and the rich young ruler can be found in Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-27 and Luke 18:18-23. Again, there are several verse misrepresentations and commentaries do need to come in. So what is the whole incident about? Did Jesus teach works salvation here? No. So in all four accounts here's what happened: the rich young ruler asked Jesus on what he can do to have eternal life. Jesus said what is written. The rich young ruler believing he could justify himself, said he has kept the whole Law and Jesus asked him to do one more thing- sell all his possessions and follow him but the rich young man left after that. So why did he leave? Here's the important lesson of the whole story- the rich young ruler trusted in his riches which could not save- read Psalm 49 to get a clearer picture. Jesus emphasized in Mark 10:24 saying, "And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!*"
So here the whole story is that it shows salvation by works is virtually impossible. Jesus had quoted the impossibility of human efforts to gain salvation vs. with God's way, nothing is impossible especially in fulfilling the whole Law. Salvation if by human efforts would require a sinlessly perfect life but by God's standards, man is fallen and in contrast to most religions, man is NOT basically good. Read Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10-19, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and James 2:10-11- see how fallen man is. On the other hand, God made salvation as easy as this. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith. It is not of yourselves, it is a gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast." Salvation is NOT by works but it will always result to a life of good works (Ephesians 2:10, Titus 2:11-15). What man could not do, Jesus did and because of faith counted for righteousness, it results to righteousness. Read Hebrews 11 to see how faith results to works aside from James 2 to get a clearer picture.
So here the whole story is that it shows salvation by works is virtually impossible. Jesus had quoted the impossibility of human efforts to gain salvation vs. with God's way, nothing is impossible especially in fulfilling the whole Law. Salvation if by human efforts would require a sinlessly perfect life but by God's standards, man is fallen and in contrast to most religions, man is NOT basically good. Read Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10-19, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and James 2:10-11- see how fallen man is. On the other hand, God made salvation as easy as this. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith. It is not of yourselves, it is a gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast." Salvation is NOT by works but it will always result to a life of good works (Ephesians 2:10, Titus 2:11-15). What man could not do, Jesus did and because of faith counted for righteousness, it results to righteousness. Read Hebrews 11 to see how faith results to works aside from James 2 to get a clearer picture.
Note:
*In the other Bible versions, the words "trust in riches" is removed thus further confusing everything.