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It's Not Enough
Author : John Telman
In Mark 10, Jesus was setting out on a journey when he encountered a “good man”. This guy kept the law since we was young but he was not sure if that was enough. Somehow, he knew that Jesus was a teacher and came to him for guidance.
In a wonderful lesson, Jesus showed the man (and us), that obtaining the deep desire of eternal life is more than keeping rules and regulations. Keeping rules is not enough! Wow! Some might say, “then how can a person please God?” Without getting into a long study of law and grace, let’s look carefully at this passage in Mark 10.
When asked what it would take to receive eternal life, Jesus stated, “You know the commandments”. (Mark 10:19) Jesus knew all about the man. He knew that he tried to live a righteous life. Jesus looked at him with love (Mark 10:21) and told him that even with keeping the laws, “he lacked one thing”.
It is interesting that Jesus quoted the five “social laws” of Exodus 20 and not the commandments regarding man ' s relationship to God. “You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself an idol. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. You shall not covet.” (Exodus 20:3-17)
This man, (like you and I), could keep rules and yet lack in relationship with God. Salvation and the resulting eternal life do not come from keeping rules. The apostle Paul said, “man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law”. (Romans 3:28) This does not disregard the fact that Paul also said that our faith does not nullify the Law. (Romans 3:31) Of course, people of God will live His way. Yet, we can keep rules and still be found lacking!
What is enough for all of us is relationship with God. Nothing in this life is to come between us and God if we truly desire eternal life. Jesus said, “one thing you lack” and yet he told him two things. He was to give all his possessions to the poor and follow Jesus. The second part of Christ’s instruction to the man is the key: Follow me. This is personal. More than “obeying God’s Word”, we are to “follow Him”.
Coming back to the question posed by the disciples: “who can be saved?”, Jesus answered what we all need to hear, “all things are possible with God”. (Mark 10:27). Yes, he was following up on his comment about how difficult it is for the wealthy to let go of their wealth, but let’s take it deeper. If we follow Jesus, if we follow God, he will enable us to do all the things we are to do for him. “All things are possible.....with God.”
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