[Luke 18, Proverbs 26]

H – Luke 18:18, “And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

E – Justified!

There is only one way to be justified. In Luke 18 there are 2 parables that Jesus gave (The Pharisee and the Tax Collector – The Rich Ruler) that points to our need for genuine salvation and eternal life. 

The Pharisee justified his ‘salvation’ by what he had and did. He based his righteousness and self worth by the things that he did in the name of religion. He prayed, fasted, and gave his tithe faithfully, but he was not considered righteous.

The Rich Ruler justified his ‘salvation’ by what he did also. He claimed to have kept the commandments all the way from his youth. Yet, when he heard the truth about what one must do to inherit eternal life he left sad and defeated. 

Both The Pharisee and The Rich Ruler failed to see what true justification was and is; humbleness before God. To be justified before God means to fully surrender to Jesus through repentance. The only way that I can be justified is to have been redeemed, through faith in Jesus and Jesus alone. There is nothing that I can do to earn my salvation and eternal life or to be justified. It’s simple Jesus. 

It’s Jesus in me and Jesus through me. 

A – Both The Pharisee and Rich Ruler points to my need to humble myself before the Lord, lay before Him in repentance, surrender a new each day, and give of myself as I follow Him.

R – Lord God, thank you that I have found my worth in you. I know I’m only justified because of your great grace and my faith in you. Lord, I humble ask that you convict me of the things that have a grip on my life, fill me anew today, create in me a clean heart, and renew your Spirit in me. Thank you for the promise of eternal life. 

In Jesus Name!