by Jim Hughes
Matt. 19:25-26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
Jesus had just dealt with a very rich man who had come to Him wanting to know how to be saved. He was a good and devout man. He thought he had all his bases covered, but he wanted Jesus’ affirmation. Jesus told him the only thing he lacked was to sell his possessions and then to follow Him. The price was just too steep. He left Jesus dejected. His riches just meant too much to him. The disciples were caught off guard. Jesus made a statement that they did not understand. He told them how hard, impossible, it was for rich people to be saved. Mystified, they then asked the Lord who in the world could then be saved. Jesus’ response put things in their proper perspective; only God can save a soul. There is nothing man can do to save himself.
Jesus did not come to help us help ourselves to be saved. He came to be our Savior. Without Christ in their heart, no one will make it to heaven. All the money, fame, friendships, or good works will not save the soul. Anyone who thinks he can make it to heaven without repentance is believing a lie straight from hell.
It is not impossible for God to save anyone. Whoever humbles himself before God, confesses their sins, asks for forgiveness, and accepts Jesus as their Savior and Lord will be saved. God does not exclude anyone from the reach of His saving grace. He longs for all to be saved and will not turn anyone away who sincerely seeks Him.
About the Author:
Spending his formative years in Ft. Wayne, IN, Jim followed the love of his life to southeast Iowa where they married and have spent the majority of their lives. Jim has pastored several churches throughout his life and has worked many years in local factories to help support his family. The father of two married adult children and one son still at home, Jim is a first-time author.
C Through Marriage came into being through many years of pastoral and life experiences. The book first took on a life of its own over 20 years ago when I sought to address the much publicized moral failures of prominent leaders in the church. In the chapter on Chasity, I include the guideliness that I developed then to protect one’s self from such failures.
I am a firm believer in order to make sense out of life you have to use much common sense. We need to get back to the basics of what has worked for many, many generations. If is isn’t broke, why try to fix it? I strive to return to the basics of what really works in all my writings.
I agree. We as humans try to look too much as to what we do, what we accomplish, what we think, what we feel, and don’t acknowledge enough that we can only do things through God’s love and mercy. We don’t acknowledge who we are or our limitations. Yes. Only God can save us! God bless.