Will Thou Be Perfect?

Matthew 19:16-26

Verse 16:

The Man

Matthew calls him simply “one”

Mark says that he came running and knelt to him and asked this question.

Luke calls him “a certain ruler”

The Question

Matthew “what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”

Mark “what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

Luke “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

His question is flawed from the beginning, because it assumes a works based, entitlement or merit based system of Salvation.

Yet in Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Galatians 2:16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Yet, there is something that must be done. What is that?

John 6:29 “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”

Faith in Christ is the answer, the abandon of all self trust, self reliance and worldly reliance.

Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Mark 8:34 “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Verse 17:

Jesus first addresses his greeting. Good Master.

Not that he wanted to rebuke the ruler for calling him good.

But as Matthew Henry would say it, he would have him know him not simply as a good man, but good God.

In other words, he his asking why are you calling me good, only God is good, is that how you see me?

2. Then he addresses the question

If you would enter life, keep the commandments.

Verse 18:

If I must ask which good thing God commanded I must follow, my heart is still in the wrong place and I am simply seeking a work around joyful obedience to a gracious and good God.

Verse 20:

The Proclamation: I have kept all of these from my youth.

Had he indeed kept these perfectly from his youth?

The question: what lack I yet?

Mark 10:21 “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

Luke 18:22 “Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.”

In other words, the lack is in your understanding of how all this works. It is not about what you have, or what you do. It is about what Christ has done, and what he has for those who follow him.

This life contains no eternal treasure if Christ is missed in the living of it. We are living for a world to come and a treasure stored in that world. That treasure is knowing God, the only true God and his Son Jesus Christ (John 17:3).

Verse 21:

Matthew 19:21 “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”

If thou wilt be perfect

Gain perspective, sell all you have give it to the poor. Then you will show that you understand and have gained treasure in heaven.

come follow me. this echoes his answers in Mark and Luke.

Verse 22:

He was unwilling to part with the riches of this life to gain the wealth of eternity!

Verse 23-24:

Here is the stumbling block for the wealthy or any who hold to the riches of this life. Who would have more treasure here than there.

Verse 25:

The disciples were distraught and beside themselves. Who then can be saved.

This showed even among the disciples a misconception of wealth and the approval of God.

Paul warns of those who teach these kinds of things. 1 Timothy 6:3-5, 6-10.

Verse 26:

God is able to save even the rich!

Application:

Examine your assumptions about salvation.

The young ruler's flawed question reveals a heart clinging to self-righteousness and spiritual entitlement.

2. Surrender what stands between you and full devotion to Christ.

Jesus identifies the one thing the young man won't release—his wealth—not because riches are evil, but because they reveal rival allegiances.

3. Trust in the Power and Grace of God to Do the Impossible.

Even the most moral, wealthy, and socially respected person cannot be saved apart from divine grace.