The Strand Study Bible

MATTHEW MATTHEW 2. The kind that believes Christ did all the “good” on the cross and all you have to do is trust Him (Rom 3:20-26 & 5:6-8, II Cor 5:21, Eph 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5) It’s the difference between “ WORK ” and “works.” Whereas Christians place their trust in the finished “ WORK ” of Jesus to get them to Heaven (Exo 14:31 ), religious people place their trust in their own good “works.” THE ADAGE IS TRUE: People don’t go to Heaven because they live right; they go to Heaven because they die right (Lk 23:39-43) The way to die right is by placing your faith in the only One who ever lived right (Jn 11:25 & 14:6). Religious people will always fail to see their need for a Savior. Why? Because they see themselves as “good” sinners instead of “great” sinners (Lk 13:1-5). 19:17 a As long as the world is ignorant of what “good” is ( there is none good but one, that is, God ) the world will remain ignorant of who “God” is. This rich man was ignorant of who God was because he was ignorant of who Christ was. He thought Christ was just a man like himself and thought men were “good.” However, God already told mankind one thousand years before this rich man was ever born in Psalm 14:3: There is NONE that doeth GOOD, no, NOT ONE . Like most people, this man failed to know what “good” is because he failed to know what God’s Word said. 19:17 b This phrase “ but if thou will enter into life ” implies that the young man was still on the outside of such life, yet wanting in. 19:17 c Sadly, some religious movements have tried to use this Scripture to prove that “good works” ( keep the commandments ) are essential to gaining salvation. Notice, however, Jesus’ words, “ if thou .” Jesus said to the man who wanted to get to Heaven by being good, “If your desire is to get to Heaven ( if thou wilt enter into life ) by being good (vs 16), then you must keep the whole law ( keep the commandments ).” Meaning: Perfection is required; you must be as good as God if you want to get in. This, of course, is impossible (vs 25-26). Although this man was personally convinced that he had kept the whole law (vs 18-20), he hadn’t (vs 21- 24). No one ever has. Salvation by “works” is impossible (vs 25-26). Paul said so! Paul said in Galatians 3:21-22: For if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness (law keeping) should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe . So did James. James warned those who would try and enter Heaven via their “law keeping” in James 2:10: For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all . Those who desire to enter Heaven by being good ( law keeping ) place themselves under an obligation they cannot possibly meet –perfect obedience. NOTE – There are two ways that people attempt to enter Heaven: 1. Their own “good works” (law keeping) ( what “ good thing ” shall I do, that I may have eternal life? ) ( Lk 10: 25- 28 , Rom 7:10 & 10: 1- 5 , Gal 3: 10- 12 ,19- 21 -22, Jn 5:29 , Heb 12:14 b and Jms 2:14 a,b ) 2. Christ’s good “ WORK ” on the cross ( Jn 14:6 ) Sadly, like most men and their religious movements, this man wanted to enter Heaven via his “good works.” However, human goodness without God is always counted as sin ( Isa 64:6 ). 19:21 Those willing to give their hearts to God will learn to give their treasures to help men ( go and sell that thou hast ). 19:22a THE ADAGE IS TRUE: God sends no one away hungry, save those who are full of themselves ( he went away sorrowful ) 19:22b This man’s unwillingness to share with his neighbor ( for he had great possessions ) proved him to be covetous (Phil 4:11 and Exo 20:17). The reason covetousness is so deceitful is because few ever recognize it. Francis Xavier, a Spanish Jesuit missionary (1506-1552), once noted: Of all the thousands of confessions I’ve ever heard, I’ve never had anyone confess to being covetous. THE ADAGE IS TRUE: No matter how good some folks think they are, they are not always good 19:24 Its not that a rich man can’t be saved. Rather it is harder for a person who has everything “physically” to see his need for a Savior “spiritually.” 19:25 The question was asked, “If man cannot save himself by way of his good works, who then can be saved ?” Jesus gives us the answer: Only God can save us (through Christ - Rom 10:1-4); thus salvation is a work of God, not men ( I Pet 1:10 a,b, Gen 49:18 , Exo 14:13,30-31 , Psa 74:12 , Jonah 2:9 , Hab 1:5 , Lk 7:50 , Jn 4:14 & 5:29 & 6:28-29 , Rom 13:11 , Titus 3:5 a and Heb 6:1 c). 19:29 Sadly, some religious movements have tried to use this Scripture to prove that “good works” ( And every one that hath forsaken houses… ) are essential to gaining salvation ( and shall inherit everlasting life ). However, “good works” don’t get people to Heaven ( Mt 19:16 ), they only allow people to “enjoy” (the meaning behind the word “ inherit ”) Heaven ( Mt 5:5a,b , Gal 5:21 , Rev 2:7 & 21:7 , Prov 3:35 and I Cor 3:13-15). In order to gain Heaven people must trust the good “ WORK ” that CHRIST did for us on Calvary. It’s not our “good works” but His good “ WORK ” ( Exo 14:13,30-31 ) that gains us access into Heaven. 19:30 Not every believer is going to serve God with the right motive, therefore, many that are first in the eyes of men shall be last in the eyes of God. Truly, “why” we do what we do for God means everything to God, and will determine what kind of reward we will receive in eternity. NOTE – Depending on the context, the statement “ But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first ,” can deal with either the saved (Mt 19:27-30 & 20:1-16 and Mk 10:31) or the unsaved ( Lk 13:30 ). 1533

1 Stanley, Andy. Since Nobody’s Perfect… How Good is good enough ?. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Pub. 2003. Print. 2 Capon, Robert Farrar. The Parables of Judgment , Grand Rapids, MI, Eerdmans Pub., 1989. Print. 3 Spurgeon, Charles. All of Grace, Pensacola, FL, Mt. Zion Publications. Print.