What’s In It For Me?

Luke 18:28-30

Jesus had just told the ruler that the one thing he lacked to receive eternal life was to give up his wealth and follow Jesus. When he wasn’t willing Jesus had said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle. The raised a question. “And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”(Luke 18:26-27)

As pointed out, man cannot save himself. There is nothing he can do that will undo his sin. Only God can save him. The disciples have done what Jesus told the ruler, but perhaps there is still more they need to do to get God to save them. Peter raises the issue.

“Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.” (Luke 18:28)

“We’ve done exactly what you said, but what happens now? How sure is our salvation? Is there something we don” know?” The disciples voluntarily left jobs, homes, and families to follow Jesus. It would be terrible to have given up so much and then find out they hadn’t measured up.

When people are afraid they will lose their job, whether because of company downsizing, or because of some unintentional infraction, they live with a huge load of stress, that affects their productivity. They often become like hamsters on a treadmill, exhausting themselves, with only a forlorn hope of accomplishing anything. It becomes increasingly difficult to maintain their output, and they begin to look for something else.

Those who are unsure of their salvation or who fear they might lose it experience a similar anxiety, and many eventually drop out in exhaustion. Fortunately, we don’t have to live that way. I John 5:13 declares, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life,…” I can be totally sure of my salvation. Unlike my job, there is no possibility of losing it, unless something is able to break God’s hold on me. I Peter 1:5 declares we “...are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Like a little child, I am to hold onto God’s hand, but my safety is based on the strength of his grip, rather than mine. Because of that Jesus could promise their salvation unequivocally.

“And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” (Luke 18:29-30)

Everyone who has made that commitment to Christ will receive his blessings in the earthly life, and also eternal life. Earthly efforts produce only temporary benefits, but as Paul advised Timothy, the results of serving God are sure and permanent. “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.” (I Timothy 4:8-9)

We no longer need to live in fear, but can love freely. I John 4:18 declares, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." While fear is the initial reason for service, Love is the ultimate motivation. Fear indicates an immature love.