The Seeker Whom Jesus Refused to Save

One day a man approached Jesus seeking salvation, only to find out that Jesus refused to give it to him. The man had asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Now it would seem that this man sincerely wanted to know how to get to heaven and escape hell. Isn’t that a legitimate request? Don’t we wish that more earnest seekers like that would enter our churches? I find it interesting that Jesus did not respond with the usual commands that we typically quote when explaining the way to salvation, such as, “You must be born again” or, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ…”, or “… receive him…” Instead, he began by listing the last half of the Ten Commandments – the ones the man did not feel guilty of breaking. Obviously this man had integrity and saw no need to change – no sins from which to repent. So far so good. Then Jesus gave another command that I have never yet heard quoted by anyone who was explaining the way to salvation. Jesus said, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor….” Lk. 18: 22 Wow! I think we would be quite disturbed if any evangelist chose that verse! But Jesus could say it because he saw the very thing that was keeping this man from true salvation. Jesus went right to the heart. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Lk.. 12:34This rich ruler was unknowingly violating the first and greatest commandments. Now he, an influential community leader, wanted to have the best of both worlds – security in this world and security in the next world. Jesus’ request was an affront to his entire sense of manly identity and worth. It was a call to change from being someone to being no one. After Jesus had hit the target in his heart, he next said, “THEN come follow me”. Note the order. Note also that Jesus said nothing about eternal life, which is what the man came seeking after. This man wanted to get saved, but he did NOT want to follow Jesus because that was too costly. There is a sobering message in this biblical account. We evangelicals have been explaining salvation by choosing only certain Bible quotes, while neglecting the heart of the matter. We have been eager to save people, but we have miserably failed to make FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST. There are countless Christians around who believe they are saved because they were told so by spiritual leaders. However, really they have never become FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST because in their hearts they never surrendered their worldly securities. If the rich ruler had come into a typical church today to seek salvation, he would likely have gone away glad, not sad. He would have believed he was saved based on words of the spiritual leaders (those who themselves have never surrendered their idolatrous trust in their eartly securities) He would have been given membership in the church, and even likely a place of leadership. (remember, he was a good leader in the community)At least Jesus gave him a chance to know his own heart. No doubt the man would always remember the words of Jesus. Maybe in time he was able to surrender his idolatrous securities and choose Christ. Only the Spirit knows the buried treasures of the heart. We don’t! So let us stop trying to play God. He will do the harvesting in HIS time, not ours, by HIS Spirit, not ours. Jesus promised to save those who want HIM, not merely the security of eternal life.by Diane

Only the Spirit knows the buried treasures of the heart. We don’t! So let us stop trying to play God. He will do the harvesting in HIS time, not ours, by HIS Spirit, not ours. Finney deals with this topic also and reminds us that the Holy Spirit deals with folk in the areas of which He has a controversy with the person. It is a difficult thing to assess because sometimes ministers tend to harp on things that bear down on the conscience of the person that creates a 'psuedo' type form of conviction. Finney did it a lot and didn't probably realize it. For example, early in his ministry he talks about people would have to endure tobacco juice on the floor of churches (even in the seats at times) and how it was a hindrance to people hearing the sermons. Apparently folk thought nothing of chewing in the meeting house. People could not concentrate on God for worrying if they were about to put their hand in it. He speaks of women asking for a stool to kneel down and pray as not to be kneeling in the messy floor. In time, 'tobacco use' would be preached as a serious sin as it was poor stewardship to waste God's money on the stuff. This filtered down into the mid 20th century to be the primary evidence of conversion- that one quit smoking. You might ask them- did you get saved? Yes! I quit smoking right afterwards. Seems to me that smoking is a serious health problem- but it is the things that come out of a man that truly defile him- not what goes in. What he eats or smokes can potentially kill him/her; but what hath defiled them in God's eyes?My point is- when men try to play God they do God a serious disservice. Who knows what controversy God has with a person save the person in question. The Judaizers thought that the people needed to go through all manor of Jewish customs to be saved- yet God has His own criteria. God Bless,-Robert

How easily we just right people off and go on. How unscriptural such a practice is. God never gives up, we should not either.Amen and amen! It has amazed me to see how that when so many did not repent at the hearing of the word of repentance that God has now directed me and others to begin ministering a word that still extends the hand of God's grace though many grossly failed God when they would not hear. it's not over with the word of repentance rejected. Some people went into their sin and were literally beaten down by it and are in need of a message of grace now. They were warned and now they are suffering. Has God given up? God forbid! The message goes on and God will still meet them where they are. What an encouraging word Lahry! His mercy endures forever!God Bless,-Robert

Lahry,you wrote:"How easily we just right people off and go on. How unscriptural such a practice is. God never gives up, we should not either."Right on Bro. I thank God every day of my life that there were those who did not “write me off”. There were family and friends who were disgusted with me, disappointed , saddened, hurt, left with many questions as to how and why, but even in this there have been those who have literally lived what you have written and refused to give up on a brother and sister in Christ.Some sound advice could be to those who find themselves in a pit is to “stop digging” help is on the way. Personally my wife and I cannot stomach anymore messages from the self-appointed prophets of late who would keep us locked in bondage, Christ hath set us free and we now have all the liberty that the Cross affords us. When and if it becomes Christ + anything, flee from it without hesitation.In our opinion, there are so many dear saints young and elderly alike who are drowning in the Mon-Fri rat race, and they as we simply cannot take any religious rat-race to boot.That we may know Him, and the power of His resurrection !!!Blessings,Tony&dawnp.sWe are thinking about coming down for Thanksgiving camp meeting maybe we could meet up, I presume you are still in Baton Rouge?

How right you are, Lahry.There was an 80 year old man that got saved, a few weeks ago, and God had him tell his wifethat he believed he would go on Home, if it was ok with her.He saw the Glory.Once you see and taste the Glory, you won't ever be satisfied. You only want more of Him who died to set us free.I sing and play the guitar at the Nursing Homes, and people are getting saved there.His mercy endures forever.To God be all the Glory, Honor, and Praise.Nellie :-)

We evangelicals have been explaining salvation by choosing only certain Bible quotes, while neglecting the heart of the matter. We have been eager to save people, but we have miserably failed to make FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST. There are countless Christians around who believe they are saved because they were told so by spiritual leaders. However, really they have never become FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST because in their hearts they never surrendered their worldly securities. Diane, this is what happened to me. I've come to know him now. It cost me everything and it's so worth it! Love, Dian

Your title suggestion might be less offensive to our perception of Jesus as a meek and mild, gentle and forgiving Savior. However, when I was meditating on that scripture about the rich ruler, the present title flashed from the page like a bolt of lightening. Our Jesus is a consuming fire, he came to purge, to separate, to divide between the righteous and the unrightous. See Luke 12:49-54 where Jesus said, "I came to bring fire on the earth...". I see that another thread has been started on that very scripture. So let us not miss the divine message!On the Judgment Day, Christ will be the Lamb of wrath. Many, many will say, "Lord, Lord... " (those who think they know him PERSONALLY), but will be driven away from him. Perhaps the story of the rich ruler is in the Bible to remind us that Jesus refuses to save people on THEIR terms. Ravenhill, Billy Graham, and others remind us that only about 5 percent of those who are believe that they are saved really are. If this thought doesn't shake us up, and cause us to fall on our faces, then surely, we must have forgotten who our Jesus really is. Imagine when we face this Jesus on the final day, and must give an account for those whom are in hell because we gave them an eternal assurance policy that was void. Is there any difference between that and Bhuddism, Islam, etc... ?If we don't shake off our denials about our easy-believism, come-as-you-are, seeker-friendly form of evangelicalism, how can we ever see GENUINE revival!!!!! The rich ruler did not seek Jesus like the returning prodigal - broken, wretched and naked. He came looking for yet another "work" that could guarrantee him a place in heaven. He was trusting in his works, but had no desire for Christ. In our churches, we would have eagerly offered this man salvation. We would have been happy to have his tithe, his friendly, caring personality, his good leadership skills, his trustworthiness, his faithful prayers. What an asset to our churches!But Jesus didn't need any of this. Actually, Jesus wanted him to surrender his idols and false assurances, so that he could be free to follow Christ. Imagine! Jesus refused to give salvation to this upstanding leader on his own terms!!!I ask, has Jesus changed today?Diane

Two days ago a Christian husband and wife (farmers), who were highly respected in my community, were killed in an auto accident. For the last 10 years he was a spiritual mentor to me. Sometimes I posted SI links to him. Because his burden was closely related to thread topic, I post my thoughts here now.

Only hours before his death he phoned me and we had a very long discussion about spiritual things, including eternal destiny, and matters discussed here. When I later heard the shocking news I was angry with God, wondering why he would take someone who had such a love for God, a passion for righteousness living, and a burden for revival and holy living.

This friend had deep concern about the prevalence of unauthentic salvations, and I believe that the biblical account of the rich man addresses that too. The rich ruler reminds us that we are not necessarily saved just because we have approached Jesus and asked for it, or because we have mustered up an “assurance”. We are saved only if God has given us his new life by his Spirit.

We don’t know if we even have another day. It would not be a bad idea to consider the question: “Does the Lord know me?” After all, what can matter more than that?

Diane

There is a sobering message in this biblical account. We evangelicals have been explaining salvation by choosing only certain Bible quotes, while neglecting the heart of the matter. We have been eager to save people, but we have miserably failed to make FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST.

Amen!

Only the Spirit knows the buried treasures of the heart. We don’t! So let us stop trying to play God. He will do the harvesting in HIS time, not ours, by HIS Spirit, not ours.

yes, only the Spirit knows the buried treasure in our heart, and sometimes He uses His servants to reveal the dark secrets of other people's heart. the gift is a prophectic gift, and maybe called the gift of word of knowledge.

elisha was shown much about the hearts of men. God reveal to ezielkiel the sin of the the leaders.

2 Kings 6:12
12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”

Ezekiel 33:30-32

30 “As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’ 31 So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. 32 Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.

these verses above, God reveals to ezekiel the true motives His people's heart.

yes, it is the Spirit who knows. without Him, these prophets would not have known. but these are examples that God does reveal the secrets of men's heart to whom He chooses.

i disagree with some of finney's stuff, but i believe that man was a prophet. he has a way of exposing the heart like no other. i surely see this as a gift from God. when you read finney's writtings, this kind of seeing came naturally to him. i have not yet met anyone who can speak right to the heart, like finney does. that kind of seeing is a prophectic gift, i believe.

i still believe that God uses His people like that just like He did with the prophets of old. what was one of the main reasons that the prophets were hated? they were hated because they exposed the true intent of the hearts, just like Jesus did with the rich young ruler and the pharisees.

i believe the more you are in Him, the more you will see the heart and NOT the outward appearance. you will see spiritually, not outwardly, to where you will be used to speak right into the hearts of men. it is thru His Spirit of corse that we are able to do it in that way, but it comes with a cost, and too many of God's people love their lives, hold on dearly to their titles and reputation. scared of loosing face.

with this kind of preaching, you will surely be hated by the religous just like Jesus was hated by the pharisees and the prophets were hated by His own people.

now i'm not talking about name callings. anyone can do that. but, just like God showed ezikiel the idols of the leaders heart and motives. He does that today, and the religous nash their teeth at it!

Myfirstlove said:

i believe the more you are in Him, the more you will see the heart and NOT the outward appearance.

Paul said, At whatever point you judge the other you are condemning yourself.” Rom. 2: 1 Of course this is not a command against judging, per se, but a warning to judge ourselves accurately. And we cannot do that apart from a brokenness that is willing to let God reveal our heart to us.

You can only change yourself, no one else.

As I ponder over the lives of my friends who died, God has been revealing to me some amazing truths. These people spoke far louder by their godly, generous characters than by their pronouncements against the church and society. In fact they said nothing to the church about their real concerns. He never opened the way for that. They left that in God's timing. And God is now using all that.

Diane