KEEP YOUR "HOPE OF SALVATION" BRIGHT! Deliverance From Oppression

What Is Required to Gain Salvation?

Once, a rich young Israelite ruler asked Jesus: "What must I do to inherit everlasting life?" (Mark 10:17) His question may have reflected the prevailing Jewish thinking of his tie-that God demands certain good works and that by performing enough of those works, on can earn salvation from God, but that kind of formal devotion could spring from selfish motives. Such works failed to provide a sure hope of salvation, since no imperfect human could really measure up to God's standards.

In answer to the man's question, Jesus simply reminded him that he should obey God's commandments. The young ruler quickly assured Jesus that he had kept them from his youth on. His response moved Jesus to feel love for him. Jesus said to him: "One thing is missing about you: Go, sell what things you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower." The young man, however, went away grieved, "for he was holding many possessions." Jesus thereafter emphasized to his disciples that excessive attachment to this world's goods gets in the way of attaining salvation. He added that no one can gain salvation by his own efforts. But Jesus went on to reassure them: "With men it is impossible, but not so with God, for all things are possible with God." (Mark 10:18-27; Luke 18:18-23) How is salvation possible?

Salvation is a gift from God, but it does not come automatically. (Romans 6:23) There are certain basic conditions that each individual must meet to qualify for that gift. Jesus said: "God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." And the apostle John added: "He that exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life; he that disobeys the Son will not see life." (John 3:16, 36) Clearly, God requires faith and obedience from each individual who hopes to obtain everlasting salvation. Each one must make the decision to accept the ransom and to follow in Jesus' footsteps.

Since we are imperfect, it is not our natural inclination to obey and it is impossible for us to obey perfectly. That is why Jehovah provided a ransom to cover our sins. Nevertheless, we must continually strive to live in accord with God's ways. As Jesus told the rich young ruler, we must keep God's commandments. Doing so brings not only God's approval but also great joy, for "his commandments are not burdensome;" they are "a refreshment." (John 5:3; Proverbs 3:1, 8) Still, it is not easy to hold on to the hope of salvation.

Next time: "Put Up a Hard Fight for the Faith"

Watchtower, 2000