What does a person have to do to go to heaven when they die? In Matthew 19:16-26 we read the story of rich young man who comes to Jesus to ask this very question. Jesus's answer is a little surprising. He tells the rich man to sell everything he has and then to follow Jesus. Say what? This sounds a little like you get to go to heaven by selling all your possessions and moving to a convent or monastery. But in John 3:16, Jesus says that whoever believes in him will get eternal life. Is this a contradiction in the Bible? And is having many possessions a bad thing?
To compare jump back to the Old Testament when the Israelites are about to enter the promised land. In Joshua 1:7-9 God says, “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
The commands God gives Joshua are to be strong and courageous, not to be afraid, and to continually be meditating on and speaking about God's law. This is similar to the conversation that the young man has with Jesus. Clearly knowing and keep God's law is important.
But then what does God promises Joshua if he does these things? Land, success, and prosperity! We seem to have a bit of a dichotomy here. Does the Bible teach that material wealth is a good thing or a bad thing?
Why do you think God would respond to Joshua one way and to the rich young ruler in a completely different manner? God knows the heart of every person. I think that Jesus perceived that the rich young ruler cared more about his possessions than he did about his relationship with God.
Now lets look at John 10:1-18. Jesus is speaking to a group of Pharisees. He uses a parable of a shepherd and a sheep to explain his (Jesus's) relationship with his followers to them. Jesus explains that the sheep only enter into the sheep pen because the shepherd let them in and he also makes that statement that they will only follow the voice of the shepherd. Here Jesus is makes it crystal clear to the Pharisees and whoever was in earshot that the only way to enter into God's good graces is through Jesus Himself.
For what reason does Jesus say that He came to earth in this scripture? In John 10:10 Jesus says that He came so that we (his followers) might have life and have it to the full.
What appears to be the most defining aspect of His followers in this metaphor? Is it that they are poor? Wealthy? Jewish? White people? Of course not. It’s that they KNOW Jesus and recognize His voice.
The most important thing that we can do is know Jesus and recognize His voice. How do we do that? It’s hinted at in Joshua. We need to spend time in His Word, that’s how we get to know Him.
Which of these guys are you and I most like? If we are the rich young ruler, we might hope to make it to heaven based on being a decent person or based on the fact that we are Christians in name. Or maybe you are a Joshua. You already know God. Then this verse is for you: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:8).
Remember that it isn’t about the things that we do, the keeping of the commandments. And it isn’t about the things that we do or don’t have. The Gospel (good news) is that we are saved based on what Jesus has done for us at the cross. Romans 10 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Saved to what kind of life? An awesome, purposeful life. But we are told to count the cost: Jesus says we need to die to ourselves, take up our cross and follow him, and we need to do this daily. Beyond that it depends on what God has in store for you. I’m telling you it’s worth it. Don’t be the guy who goes away sadly.
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