When a person comes across something that is tasty or good he or she might want to know the recipe for it.
In our story today we have someone looking for a recipe, but he needed more than a recipe! I am sure you have come across this recipe yourself, but if you have tried it you will not have had much success with it!
"On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,' he asked, ‘what I must I do to inherit Eternal Life?'"
1*.
We should all want to know the recipe for Eternal Life; and who better to get it from than Jesus Christ!
Jesus replied, "What is written in the law?
2*.
How do you read it?"
The expert answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbour as yourself."
"You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live," Jesus told him.
3*.
If you have tried to "do this" as the way to getting Eternal Life then you will know that you can't make it! The ingredient of perfect love, first for God and then for our neighbour, is impossible for us to find in our lives.
4*.
God knows that the only recipe for eternity that sinful you and I can put together is that which produces eternal death! God tells us clearly, "The wages of sin is death"!
5*.
Does this mean no one can have Eternal Life?
If you really wanted some very special treat but could not get the ingredients together what would you do? You would likely try to find someone who could use the recipe and who would be willing to prepare it for you!
Jesus' answer to the expert's question should have caused him to reply, "I could never do that!" We must realise that not one of us could ever earn Eternal Life.
5*.
But that "expert" was too proud to admit his sinfulness. Perhaps he though he could do well enough! If he thought that then he would think he had no need for the Saviour God had sent into the world.
6*.
Will YOU admit to Jesus that God's recipe for "Life" - for Eternal Life - is "impossible with men"? Will you then accept that "what is impossible with men is possible with God."
7*.
God knows we cannot do what would be required to earn Eternal Life, so in His great unexplainable love He offers us Eternal Life AS A FREE GIFT.
5*.
This free offer has been made available to you at tremendous cost to God - the sacrifice of His only Son. Jesus willingly took the punishment you deserved and died for your sins.
8*.
It makes sense that those who despise or doubt such great love and mercy offered by God can be sure of condemnation and fearful judgement from God.
9*.
Humbly admit that you cannot do what is required in the recipe for "Life" that Jesus confirmed in Luke chapter 10, verses 25-28. Instead, accept God's free offer through faith in Jesus with a truly thankful heart!
10*.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Bible quotations from N.I.V.
1 Luke 10:25.
2 Deuteronomy 6:5. Leviticus 19:18.
3 Luke 10:26-28.
4 Romans 3:23.
5 Romans 6:23.
6 1st John 4:14.
7 Luke 18:26-27. Romans 3:19-20.
8 2nd Corinthians 5:21. 1st Peter 3:18.
9 John 3:16-19. 1st John 5:9-12.
10 Galatians 2:15-16.
