The story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, and Luke 18:18-23 is a clear description of performance based salvation that we find before the death, burial, and resurrection Christ changed everything! We are reminded that faith is believing what God said and acting on it. Hebrews 11 is the definitive chapter about faith and paints a beautiful picture of incredible faith in the lives of Old Testament saints.
The rich young ruler asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus answer was obey the commandments God gave to Moses and give away your wealth and come follow me. He was saddened because he had great wealth, and could not make that sacrifice.
Salvation in all dispensations is by God's grace and man's belief and obedience. The disciples were completely convinced that Jesus was the promised Messiah, but they could not grasp that His death, burial, and resurrection had to occur first. Jesus commented on how difficult it was for the wealthy to enter the physical kingdom of heaven (on earth) or the kingdom of God, the spiritual kingdom (Romans 14:17, 1 Cor 15:50). The disciples asked, Who can be saved? Jesus answered, If it is up to man, it is impossible, but with God all things are possible! Matthew 19:23-26, Mark 10:23-27, Luke 18:24-27
Paul also comments on this issue of wealth and how it can be detrimental to anyone's spiritual growth.
1 Timothy 6:17-19: Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
The disciples were concerned that their scarifice to follow Christ – forsaking all, was not going to reward them sufficiently. Jesus lets them know that they will be given an incredible reward receiving judgeships over the twelve tribes of Israel when He is sitting on the throne of His glory in the kingdom. Matthew 19:27-30, Mark 10:28-31, Luke 18:28-30
We know, in this dispensation of the grace of God, that our salvation is not performance based on our part, but is based on believing in the finished work of Christ for our salvation. The three most important words concerning our salvation are found in Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Our salvation is not based upon our works of righteousness, but His mercy has saved us. Titus 3:5-7
