GOD IS ABLE - 9. Who can be saved?

~ And [the disciples of Jesus] were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” -Mark 10:26-27 (also Matthew 19:26, Luke 18:27)

That last phrase stands out: With God all things are possible! This doesn't mean, "With God all things might somehow happen." It means, "With God all things can be fully accomplished." It has the same meaning as saying that God is mighty and able to do all things.

However, there is more to this passage. A wealthy young man had just been talking with Jesus about spiritual matters, but he wanted riches more than truth. The Lord, with a heart of love, sadly watched the rich man walk away. (Side note to ponder: What is it about love that it lets people walk away instead of trying to stop them?)  Afterwards, Jesus declared, "It's very hard for rich people to choose God's kingdom."

At this the disciples were shocked! The traditional teaching was that people become rich because God blesses them for being good; and in fact, some examples seemed to back that up. Yet now Jesus says that's not true. "But if not the rich," His followers wonder, "then who can possibly be saved?"

It's a great question. For one thing, it implies that everyone does need saving (it's just that the disciples mistakenly thought the rich had a better shot at it). However, we must admit to feeling a little insulted by the idea that we have to be saved from something in order to enter God's kingdom.  Doesn't God accept the way we are?

Actually, no.  He loves us the way we are... but no, He does not accept the way we are.  He wants to make us new!  Otherwise, why should Jesus have to suffer and die in order for us to be forgiven? The Bible view is that God wants all people to be saved from our sins (1 Timothy 2:4), but saying it that way means that some people will choose not to be.  And sometimes love lets people walk away instead of trying to stop them.

That young man was rich, but what about us? You might not be rich in money, but maybe you're rich in kindness or volunteerism or some other quality. Don't rely on that! None of it is enough for us to enter God's kingdom. But God has made a spiritual rescue totally possible, if we accept it. And then, all through life, we can enjoy a relationship with the One for whom all things are possible.