Getting to Know Jesus Even Better #20

In Luke 18, Jesus had just said that in order to enter the Kingdom of God, one had to have the humble spirit of a child. Then...
 18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

This simple statement by God set off a whole string of responses, from the synagogue ruler, the crowds, even Peter and the other apostles.  Everyone was trying to justify themselves by their good deeds, by their doing better than others, even by their sacrificial service.  The core issue here is: Do material possessions demonstrate blessing from God, which in turn indicates being right with God, which thereby gives assurance of eternal life. The short answer is "no, it does not."  Then, how can we know that we have eternal life? Simple trust in Christ to provide it, which in turn leads to satisfaction with what He provides in this life, and a willingness, joy and purpose in seeking His will above anything else, no matter what. This ruler did not have it, and was not willing to trust Christ to receive it.  The disciples had it, but at times doubted, and needed some reassurance.  May we find that assurance in Him today.