Eternal Life
Twice in the Gospel of Luke-
Jesus is approached with very similar questions:
“What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 10:25;
“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 18:18.
Each time, the questioner left dissatisfied.
Let’s look at these passages to find out why.
The first time this question was asked-
– the questioner was a lawyer–someone who was an expert in interpreting the Jewish law.
Read Luke 10:25-29.
Jesus turns the question back to the “expert.”
The second time this question was asked-
– the questioner was a rich young man.
Read Luke 18:18-23.
If you look carefully at both of these questions-
– you’ll find that the lawyer and the young man had three important words in common.
The first word is “I.”
Each was focused on himself.
“What can I …?”
The second word is “do.”
They were both seeking a salvation that came from doing something.
And the third word is “inherit.”
An inheritance is something you receive in the future based on your relationship with the one who died.
No wonder the lawyer tried to justify himself and the young man went away disappointed.
Neither understood the way to eternal life.
Let’s contrast this with Jesus’ version of eternal life.
He told His Father, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.” John 10:28.
Who is the source of eternal life?
How does a person gain eternal life?
When does this eternal life begin (notice the tense of the verb “give”)?
Are you looking to “inherit” eternal life or to receive eternal life?
Are you seeking to “do” or to be given?
If you’ve never received this special gift, why wait?
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” 1John 5:20.
Receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord.
And you have eternal life!
(PR)