Salvation is Impossible But...

The failure of lost men to see the beauty of Christ as our Redeemer is all due to a tragic, heart-breaking spiritual blindness. Only Christ's loved ones can see the beauty of His sacrifice at Calvary for us!

It is well-nigh impossible for a lost man to see Christ's beauty, or to come to the Savior. Salvation is impossible!

Jesus opined on this impossibility at the incident of the rich young ruler. Jesus had just finished teaching that a person cannot be saved unless he receives the Gospel like a little child - without cynicism, without self-reliance, and in simple faith. Children are eager to receive gifts, and salvation is a gift given to helpless people, received by trusting in God's promise of deliverance.

But the rich young ruler was self-righteous and wealthy and wanted to know what he had to do to obtain salvation. How could he earn it, he wanted to know.

Jesus quickly demonstrates that, if it's about what a sinner can do, the price is too high, and sinners cannot and will not pay it.

The ruler's riches kept him from being helpless, and without them he would be dependent like a child. That's why he would not surrender them, even for the promise of everlasting life.

The disciples were appalled - if a good, honorable, decent man, whom God had blessed with riches, can't be saved, then who can be?

In our hearts, we all naturally believe there is something we can do to save ourselves, but Jesus announces that, for man, salvation is impossible!

Christ doesn't merely assert that rich men can hardly be saved. He agrees with the disciples, that nobody can be saved.

Praise God, what is impossible for man is possible for God -- God saves sinners!