Is there ever a time when grief is a good thing? Well, in the heart of a believer, one certain time when grief is good is when the Holy Spirit leads us to repentance and salvation.
“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’
Luke 18:13
The tax collector’s grief was merciful. His blind eyes were opened to his sinful heart. He saw God’s holiness compared to his impurity.
So, he was humble. He cried out for mercy. God justified him through Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary. The man believed by faith and was redeemed. Then grief became joy and peace.
That is the salvation experience.
You see the Bible is absolutely clear. The moment we believe by faith that Jesus is Lord then we are saved. That is the only requirement to being born again. (Acts 16:31)
This good grief filled him with a new reality. Take a look at Psalm 103. This is for everyone who has been saved by simple faith.
But tragically, many people consider themselves to be born again when they are really not saved.
The story of the rich, young ruler in the Bible is a great example of how people can believe in God and yet be lost.
Let’s look at the conversation between Jesus and this wealthy and powerful young man.
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
So far, so good. He has asked the right question. The man realizes that Jesus must have the answer to salvation. He still thinks of Him as merely a teacher though.
Jesus compels him to examine his heart. (Luke 19:10). He wanted the man to see his sin nature so that he could be redeemed.
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone.
Why would Jesus ask him that? The tax collector, in the opening story, saw the distinction. But this is a different life story. The young man was spiritually blind.
So, Jesus intensifies the probing to help the man. He has asked about the commandments of God. The young man obviously has the religious training. He recognizes God’s moral law. Jesus makes a declaratory statement to him.
You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother.”
And then the man reveals his continued blindness. “…I have kept all these…”
No.
He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.”
None of us can say that. The Bible tells us if we have broken one commandment, we are guilty of breaking them all. (James 2:10)
Jesus brings the man to the point of decision.
Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Jesus wasn’t telling him to demonstrate his worthiness to be saved. That would negate the free gift. (Ephesians 2:8-10). What Jesus was telling him was what He told Peter on the seashore. “If you love Me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15).
You see, when a person is truly redeemed he or she is set apart by God to be holy. We are not magically transformed into a sinless, mindless robot. We will struggle with sin till Jesus comes.
But there should be evidence that we are becoming more like Jesus. The little letter of 1 John 1-5 illustrates that.
If you want to hold tenaciously to your own self-determination, keeping God in His place, then you have not committed your heart to Jesus. If you can live opposed to God in your lifestyle without sorrow, then you are not born again.
You may believe that Jesus existed. But you have not made Him Lord of your life. It is entirely possible to believe and yet reject Him.
God is not willing for anyone to perish (John 3:17)
Knowing all of this and seeing Jesus face-to-face did not soften the rich man’s heart.
But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.
Mark 10:17-22 (CSB)
He wasn’t willing to submit his life to Jesus. He wanted his world to remain intact.
The man walked away from salvation on purpose, like every lost person does.
Jesus was grieved.
The disciples who had been watching the scene were perplexed. Take a look-
…Jesus said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!” …They were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?”
Mark 10:24-25
Who can be saved? The scripture is very clear. Those who believe like the verse below so plainly teaches.
For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Who is lost?
“Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.”
John 3:18-20
Here is a link to learn more about having simple faith in believing. Or, speak to a trusted friend or pastor.
Billygraham.net 4 Steps – Peace With God
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
