Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:26-27
Jesus had a rich person ask Him how to be saved. After telling the man to go and sell everything he had, the man went away sad. Many then asked who can be saved. Jesus pointed out that this is impossible for man, but with God anything is possible.
During the biblical times, wealth was seen as the favor of God upon someone. If they were wealthy, they were favored. If they were not wealthy, they did not have the favor of God upon them.
When the people heard Jesus say that it is difficult for a wealthy person to get into heaven, they were confused. If someone who had God’s favor on him had a hard time getting into heaven, who could be saved?
Throughout the world there are many different religions that show ways of getting into heaven. Each one is based off of the work of the person. None of them have a guaranteed way into heaven. If a person works hard enough, he may get into heaven.
In God’s sight, no man can work hard enough or long enough to earn heaven. It is impossible to be saved by works once a person has sinned against God.
Only in Christianity is there a guaranteed way to enter into heaven. God set it up so that it is not based upon the works of a person. How much a person does good things does not have a bearing on his getting into heaven. Each person is given the exact same method of getting into heaven. It is by faith and through the work of Jesus.
Only by the work of God can a person get into heaven. God is the only one who can make it possible to get into heaven.
You may put your trust in your confession or your works to get into heaven, but you must trust in God to ensure your ticket into heaven. Jesus made the way for you, do not ignore it. Do not try to get there on your own, it is impossible for you.
God, in His great love and mercy, has made a way for you where there was no way. It is impossible for you, but it is possible for God.
I pray today that you will know the work Jesus did for you; that you will trust God for your salvation; that God will remove fear of not knowing His salvation in your life; and that you will share the news of Jesus with others.
“Who will be saved? Save for what? Is it to go to heaven or not to be damned to hell? If you possess such immense power, why not save those who are suffering from hunger, those dying in war, those battling illness, or those grieving the loss of their parents, siblings, and loved ones? What are you saving for the future that I have not witnessed with my own eyes? If you truly have the power, demonstrate it in the present by helping those who are truly in need – saving the world from war and alleviating hunger among people. Show me tangible evidence in this real world that proves your ability to effect positive change, not something beyond my perception.
It is a common belief that only poor people rely on and believe in God while the rich do not. Why is this the case? The wealthy, with their resources and intelligence, can create their own good fortune, which leads them to have confidence in themselves and their abilities to become prosperous. On the other hand, the less fortunate may lack the means and opportunities to uplift themselves, thus seeking someone to lean on, trust in, and hope for miracles, as they may not have full faith in their own capabilities. People who believe may struggle with self-confidence, which drives them to depend on external forces and anticipate miracles in their lives. This might be the reason why merely ‘asking’ without taking action yields no results – it becomes merely wishful thinking.”
You bring up some interesting points. Everything you talk about the horrible things in this world is a revelation of the sinful corruption of mankind.
If you read the Bible, God originally made the world perfect with no sickness, no pain, no suffering, no hunger. When mankind chose to sin against Him by not obeying His one and only command, it was mankind that brought about all the disasters and horrible things in this world.
Right from the beginning God made it known that He would make a way for man to be forgiven and make things perfect again one day. While the rich man may appear to be able to make his own way, he finds out that when he dies, he cannot take his wealth with him. The poor (whether from lack of wealth or in spirit) know that they need God to make it and find purpose in this life and the life after physical death.
This life is only a time of preparation for the life to come in heaven. If one rejects God, the choice is death in hell. Could God get rid of all the suffering in this world? Yes, but He is doing it through His Son Jesus Christ. It will come at some point in the future.
I could say a lot more concerning all of this. If you have any questions or concerns, please send an email from the contact me point.
Have a blessed day in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.