The young man said to Him, “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. (Matthew 19:20-22)
Heaven Is Not For Good People
Nothing is known about the young man who came to Jesus seeking eternal life. Luke writes that he is a ruler. His question addresses man’s greatest need: how to have eternal life. He comes to the right source for an answer. His life is a remarkable example of Jewish faithfulness. Jesus tells the young man that he must keep the commandments of the Law. When he asks which commandments, Jesus gives a cursory overview of the Law, citing a summary of the Ten Commandments regarding fellowship with others. The young man confidently assures Jesus he has kept all those commandments, suggesting he kept them diligently, almost to the point of braggadocio.
When Jesus responds, the young man’s heart is crushed with disappointment. He wanted to know what good thing he should do to have eternal life. Jesus’s answer shocked the young man because it reminded him that he does not gain eternal life by being good. There is little doubt the man was a devout follower of the Law. It seems certain to believe he had never committed murder, adultery, or theft, and had never borne witness against another unjustly. He affirmed his allegiance to his parents, promising to requite them according to the Law, and that he loved his neighbor as himself. The young man probably did not fully grasp the importance of loving his neighbor because, when Jesus told him to sell what he had and give it all to the poor, he refused.
What the rich young ruler wanted to do was to go to Heaven based upon his goodness. He was a good man, but he was not saved. His problem was understanding that salvation comes from God’s mind, not from good works. Good people fill the earth. There are good people in every nation, culture, tongue, and religion. They help their neighbors, feed the poor, show charity to others, and live a quiet life. Everyone sees them as good people doing good things. Being good is not what saves a man. The rich young ruler was an exceptionally good man, but he was not saved. He may have remained a good man all his life, but unless he followed the will of Jesus, he was not saved.
Today, the world is filled with good people. Churches dot the landscape of Main Street America, and good people abound. Many good people are religious people. The rich young ruler was religious and seemed to do a good job of being religious. Good people do not go to Heaven. Saved people inherit eternal life. Saying, “Lord, Lord,” will not save a soul. Doing religious things will not save anyone. Being faithful to the word and will of God is what saves a man. If a man refuses to follow the inspired plan of redemption to do what God demands, there is no eternal life. What men say, or how others view a good person, does not matter. The rich young ruler refused to do the will of the Father. He left with no hope.
Good people do good things. Saved people live saved lives. The two are very different. Unless a man obeys the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is no eternal life. Saying the “Sinner’s Prayer” is a good thing, but there is no salvation attached to it. Going to church every Sunday is good, but it does not mean eternal life. Reading the Bible every day is a good thing, but hearing without doing is without hope. Believing Jesus is the Christ is a good thing, but the demons do that. Saved people live good lives doing good things, but their salvation is based on obedience. Why do so many people call Jesus “Lord” and refuse to do what He says? It’s not a good thing.
