Who can be saved?

When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25-26 CSB

 

I love the Book of Matthew because it figuratively rips the scab off and exposes the real issue of salvation. From the Old Testament, the Law caused (although not necessarily intended to) a mindset of, “I have to do x, y, and z to be saved” rather than that, “God is actually the one that saves me.” We actually do this too: I have to make it to at least 50 out of 52 Sunday services per year, I have to dress a certain way or God will disown me, I have to read X amount of Bible verses a day, I have to… I have to… I have to… Not that all of those are bad in and of themselves, but the Book of Matthew makes it perfectly clear: at your best, you will never be close to ‘good enough.’

“We’re all in big trouble…”

Look at these passages from Matthew 5:21-22 and 27-28 CSB (Jesus talking):

You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment… You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

I don’t know about you all, but if I’m banking on my righteousness to get me to heaven, I’m in big trouble. This past year has caused a lot of heat between people: anybody angry with people in the past year (not Godly reasons)? Well based on the verses above, it’s not looking so good for your righteousness either. All my men out there, have you ever even looked at a woman with lust? I mean, not even did the act of adultery, but in your own heart? Based on these verses, we’re all in big trouble.

“We need to cut out the subtle parts of our religiosity that bases our right standing with God on merit…”

Jesus levels the playing field in Matthew leaving us with the question, “Then who can be saved?” The answer is simple: it’s impossible with man but it’s only possible with God. The Greek word here for “impossible” in Matthew 19:25 is ‘adynaton,‘ which at its root means impossible, unable, powerless. We are powerless on our own to save ourselves. We need to cut out the subtle parts of our religiosity that bases our right standing with God on merit rather than basing it on His grace alone. Read Ephesians 2:1-10, it’s so beautiful. Even the most seasoned Christian needs to take a step back from time to time and relook at the fact that it is God who truly saves, not our religion.

 

-Austin

 

References

Strong’s Greek: 102. ἀδύνατος (adunatos) — unable, powerless. (n.d.) https://biblehub.com/greek/102.htm