Holiness, Godliness, Usefulness
07/08/2014, by John Kincaid
Lesson 291: Rest in God Alone
Rom.3:12 (quoting Psa.14:3) - All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.
When Jesus told the young man to keep the commandments, it startles us, because it seems that Jesus is teaching that good works lead to salvation.
But Jesus’ answer was designed to help the young man see the truth about his sin, so that he could truly come to salvation through faith.
Even the young man’s question has a problem: we can’t do anything to inherit something.
If we inherit, it is only because someone else wants to give us the fruits of their blessings. Inheritance is always based on what someone else has done, not what I do.
Jesus essentially answered, “If you want eternal life based on your works, then you are going to have to obey perfectly.” But Jesus said this to show how foolish it is to try to save yourself.
The words of Christ leave us humble and broken, confronted by our sins. But then He draws us to Himself with comfort: the promise of free grace and rest in Him.
Matt.11:28 Jesus said “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
About This Series
The goal of this series is to become more useful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, as an instrument in the Redeemer's hand. The theme verses for the series are Ephesians 4:22-24, Philemon 11, 2 Timothy 2:21
- to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
- and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
