Jesus will check your heart before granting eternal life

Jesus walked the face of the earth, amongst mankind, doing all sorts of wondrous and miraculous deeds. Jesus was the epitome of wonder and peace, as He brought about a change in the lives of so many. The Bible says that Jesus went about “doing good”. 

Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Get this! Jesus was empowered, infused, and supernaturally endowed to do good. Wherever Jesus was good was right there. You would think that a good person could not be refused. You would think that such a good person could not be rejected. Yet many rejected Jesus.  

There was a young man who dazzled Jesus (so he thought) with his “clean record” of keeping the law. Oh, that young man thought nothing of being judged by Jesus. He was ready to obey Jesus to the full. 

Mark 10:19 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

The young man saw Jesus as good and his ticket to inheriting eternal life. He was making sure he would gain heaven by doing everything right. It was a show of outward works that really did not test his heart. 

Where was his heart? Had this young man truly done all he could to prove his desire to inherit eternal life?

Well, the answer is no. Jesus did not congratulate him on his deeds. Instead, Jesus tested the seed of who he really was. Jesus tested what could not be readily seen. Jesus tested the place that no one, but Jesus Himself, could see. Jesus tested that young man’s heart. 

Did he really want to follow Jesus? Did he really want to gain eternity? Did he really want to drop all and follow Jesus? 

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. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

22 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Level of faith

Jesus will not challenge you concerning what is easy for you as that would involve no act of faith, and you will be responding according to what you can do, based on facts. 

No. Jesus will test you according to your faith level. You will have to demonstrate that, in spite of the facts, you have faith and confidence in what God has called you to. 

Let’s clearly understand that people saw Good Jesus, but they still rejected the Good Master. In essence, unless and until you give over the mastery of your life to Jesus, you will never truly be walking with Jesus, and you will risk losing eternal life. 

Be aware that the challenge for that young man remains a challenge today. Many still reject Jesus because of their financial prowess. 

Many today will see the “Jesus-people” and see the good these people do and still reject the Jesus of the good they do. 

That young man had a sad end. Wow, a sad end after standing with Jesus and choosing to reject Jesus’ offer. 

Jesus checked out his heart back then. Jesus is checking out your heart today. 

Respice finem.