With God All Things Are Possible

Q. I am concerned about Mark10:17-31.  Not only what Jesus said to the rich man but also everything else He said to his disciples after.   It seems like He is saying unless we are sure we are sacrificing everything to follow Him we will not enter the Kingdom.  The whole passage makes me feel anxious and fearful.  What if I’m not giving up enough to be accepted? I’ve never really been persecuted for the Kingdom.  Does this make me less important when I get to eternal life?  What is going on in my mind is Am I doing enough to deserve eternal life?  I realize this is not the salvation message.  So what is going on? Why am I feeling and thinking this about this passage?

A. Mark10:17-31 is part of my latest MP-3 recording that will be out in a few weeks.   The key to the passage  lies in verse 27.  It is impossible for us to save ourselves no matter what we do, but all things are possible with God.  Every attempt to gain entry into the Kingdom based on achievement or merit will be futile no matter how impressive in man’s sight. Verses 29 and 30 tell of both the great blessing and persecution that accompany the Christian life.   Verse 31 says those who think they’ve done the most to deserve salvation will find themselves at the end of the line while those who have nothing to commend them but have depended on faith alone will be at the front.