Something that happened to me this month was that two men came to my house, keeping the necessary social distancing, of course. One of them used to go to church but had not been for fifteen years. The other was a man that works on television antennas. I had met this man before when he came to my house to install an antenna since now all of the schools are giving their classes that way.
These men called me and said they wanted to talk about the Scriptures, the Word of God. The one who had been 15 years away from a church had talked with the other man about the Bible, but since he himself was living far from the Lord, he decided to bring this man to me because I am the closest pastor that they know in this area.
When they came to my house, the man asked me what he needed to do to be a Christian. Well, when he asked me that, I began to tell him about the rich young ruler who asked a similar question about eternal life. I explained to him how the Lord answered.
First, a person must recognize that he is a sinner, and that only God is good. “And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.’” (Mark 10:18).
Second, he must see that he has not kept the law. In other words, he must understand that his life is one of disobedience. “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.’” (Mark 10:19).
Third, a person must understand that he could never trust in himself. In the case of the rich young ruler, this included the trust that he had placed in his riches. This young man had the doors of eternal life shut on him, because of his self-righteousness. “And he said to Him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.’ Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.” (Mark 10:20-22)
This led me to tell him about Jesus’ words to His disciples: “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)
After I had explained to him the parable of the Lord he understood the Scriptures and the next day he came again to my house. I invited him to continue studying the Bible with me. I ask your prayers for this man, as well as for the other person who brought him to my house since he too is beginning to study the Scriptures.
