A Question of Eternity

Questions, Questions, Questions

Questions are very important in life.  From a very young age, children begin to ask questions and we continue to ask questions throughout our lives.

We ask simple questions all of the time - "What is your name?", "Where do you live?", "Where do you work or go to school?", "What's for dinner?"

As we age, some important questions are often asked.  "Where should I go to school or work?"  "What do I want to do with my life?"   "Will you marry me?"  "Why am I here?" 

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A Very Important Question

In the Bible, in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 18, a certain rich, young ruler asked one of the most important questions of all time.

Luke 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (KJV)

"What shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  This is a question of eternity - a very important question.  Have you ever wondered about eternity?   Have you ever slowed down in the middle of the hustle and bustle of life to think about what happens next?  About where you will spend eternity?

This rich, young ruler came to Jesus Christ with this question and in the discussion that follows in the book of Luke, Jesus Christ brings out three important truths as this question is answered. 


The first truth is this:  If you would inherit etenal life, you must realize your need for salvation.
As Jesus Christ responded to the rich young ruler, he reminded him of God's law - the 10 Commandments.  He did this to point out these important truths about our need for salvation.


1.   Salvation is needed because God's law has been violated.  

The Bible tells us that God is a holy God.   Habakuk 1:3 says of God "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity."  God is so holy that He cannot even look upon evil and iniquity.

The Bible also tells us that everyone (that includes you and me) has sinned against this holy God and deserves punishment for that sin.

            For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
                                                                                           (Romans 3:23)
            For the wages of sin is death;
                                                                                           (Romans 6:23a)

2.    Salvation is needed because our own efforts are valueless.  

Not only have you and I violated God's law, but there is no amount of work that you or I may do that will fix that violation of God's law.  

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
                                                       (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
                                                                  (Titus 3:5)


The  second truth is this:  If you would inherit eternal life, you must recognize the nature of the Savior.
Not only did the respone of Jesus Christ point out the need for salvation, He also wanted to make sure that the rich, young ruler understood who Jesus really was.

1. The nature of the Savior is that Christ is God

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 Timothy 3: 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Colossians 2: 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

2.  The nature of the Savior is that Christ is good

                    Repeatedly in Scripture it is testified that Christ was perfect and sinless.

                    2 Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

                    1 John 3: 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

                    As the perfect, sinless, infinite God, He is the only one who could atone for the sins of the world.

3.  The nature of the Savior is that Christ alone can save

Acts 4: 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The third truth is this:

If you would inherit eternal life, you must respond properly to Christ’s claims.		  

1.    Repent of your sin

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish

2.   Receive Christ as your Lord and Saviour

John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on His name.

Romans 10: 9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved

After Jesus answered the rich, young ruler, we are told that this young man "went away grieved."  (From the parallel passage in the Gospel of Mark)

Mark 10:22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

Jesus told the rich, young ruler there was "one thing" that he lacked.  The one thing is to have supreme devotion to Christ - and is manifested in two sides of the same coin - namely - Repent of your sin and Receive Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Mark 1:14-15 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
If you would like to know more about how you can know for sure that the question of eternity is settled in your life, please contact Pastor Sansone at pastor@fellowshipbaptist-salisbury.org.  If you would like to hear the full sermon from which this discussion was taken, please download "A Question of Eternity" preached by Pastor Frank Sansone

For additional information, check the "Links Page" or read the simple tract entitled "God's Simple Plan of Salvation."

Fellowship Baptist Church - An Indpendent Fundamental Baptist Church
1308 Robins Avenue - Salisbury, MD  21804         410-341-7100
pastor@fellowshipbaptist-salisbury.org - www.fellowshipbaptist-salisbury.org