When he heard this, he [the rich ruler] became very sad, because he was very wealthy. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Many of us have spent a significant amount of time in our lives trying to earn the favor or worth of God (or others). Time and again in the past, I have tried to work hard and solve problems in my own strength. These efforts always end up in pain and failure.

I remember one time I worked hard to lead a small group Bible Study for college students, and was making inroads into relationships there. One of the young ladies in the study asked me to come and pray for her past boyfriend to become a Christian. That night, the Holy Spirit showed up and he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Praise God! This young lady and I dated for a while and things seemed to be going well, until I got lice from my college roommates and she broke up with me after her sister had to cut her super long hair. Kind of a comical ending to the story looking back, but the pain was real in the moment. I tried everything in my power to try and help make this relationship work out, but it did not. This young girl bailed on me when times got tough. And now, I am so glad it did not go further, as it might have made it tough for me to meet my wonderful wife later on.

All of my decades of striving and trying to please people, out of a fear of rejection, led me down the wrong roads. But there turns out to be a better way!

Jesus answers his followers directly here regarding who can enter the Kingdom of God. And in answering this, he is also answering the following questions: How can I please God? How can I earn his favor? Will I ever have good standing in his eyes, when I sin time and again? “Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with man is possible WITH God.’”

At some point in life, we all must come to the realization that there is nothing we can do in our own power to earn God’s approval. He has the high standard of perfection. The good news is … he also has an incredible love for the creatures he created in his own image, mankind. And this love compelled him to send his Son Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins, once and for all. HE PAID THE PRICE WITH HIS SHED BLOOD!

So we no longer have to strive, to try and measure up and “do better next time”, to earn God’s favor.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭9‬)

Instead we can live free and grateful for the incredible love and new birth into his kingdom we can receive by accepting Jesus’ gift of salvation and making him Savior and Lord of our lives. We then pursue him and do his good works not out of a mindset of “measuring up”, but out of a desire to show our love and gratefulness to him as our Heavenly Father!

The Apostle Paul talks about this new approach to work here:
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”
(‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭16‬a)

I love the fact that it is the God of the Universe that works in me!

This is why Jesus says “what is impossible for man is possible with God.” WITH GOD (in our hearts) we can live with the right mindset and take joy in doing our good works, because he prepares them in advance for us and he fuels us and helps us in the work!

Lord, thank you for your truth here. You love us so much! May your ways be at the forefront of my mind and your works only be attempted in the power of your Spirit!