And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Luke 18:18

Heres a great question that was asked, what do we have to do to be saved? Seems like a simple question that should have a simple answer, but if you ask multiple people you might get multiple answers. Notice the young ruler is addressing Jesus as Master , so he understands who Jesus is

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Luke 18:19

Jesus hear makes a profound statement that most people don’t get at first. He says “Why do you call me good, nobody is good but God”. So think about this, if God is the only one “good” meaning sinless, then Jesus must be God. If Jesus wasn’t God, then he wouldn’t be good (sinless) therefor there would be no atonement for your sin. Think about that, Jesus is revealing he is God right here!

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. Luke 18:22

Then the young man goes through all the commandments he keeps, trying to persuade Jesus that he is righteous enough for Gods Kingdom. Notice what Jesus says to him “Sell all your stuff and give it to the poor” Ouch, this is not what the young man was expecting.

You see we have a heart issue. We can do a lot “religious stuff” to prove to people we are righteous but who owns your heart? Is your heart consumed with serving Jesus or is your heart consumed with making money or getting more stuff?

When we become Born Again we receive a New Heart, and that Heart will live for Jesus Amen!

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. Luke 18:10

Jesus taught a parable about 2 men, one a Pharisee (Religious Leader) and the other a Publican (Tax Collector) Now before we get into this story our first assumption or guess is that a Pharisee is greater in Gods eyes rather than a Publican. However as Jesus teaches in this story, God judges and views us from the heart and not our outwardly appearance.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. Luke 18:11-12

The Pharisee loved God but exalted himself too much. He believes his acts make him righteous, however we must understand that none of us are righteous. Even if you got to Church every week, tithe , and sing in the choir, you are a wretched sinner. There is only one who was ever righteous and that is Jesus Christ, because of his works he makes us righteous.

Now you might say, “Why bother doing anything then”? We don’t do things for God to make ourselves righteous, we do things for God because we love him and want to honor him for giving us salvation!

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Luke 18:13

The sinful Publican came to the temple, not with his righteous acts but with a repentful heart. While the Pharisee boasted about his works, the Publican stood before God with fear and remorse of his sinful state. Until you come to true repentance you cant be saved

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:14

As Jesus said in the Kingdom, the first will be last and the last will be first! What does that mean? Whoever humbles themselves as a servant for God will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will become lowered.

Pride leads to destruction, humble yourself at the foot of the cross! Repent of your wickedness and you shall be saved in Jesus Christ!

And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. Luke 17:26

Many books and movies were made to predict what it will be like before Christs return. Many people are watching the news daily to see if there are signs of his second coming. However Jesus told us what it was going to be like before his return

Jesus said the time of his return will be just like the “Days of Noah”. So what were the Days of Noah like?

They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Luke 17:27

Even though Noah was preaching to the people to Repent for 100 years, nobody listened, and they went about their daily lives partying and ignoring God. Eventually judgement came to the world and everyone perished except Noah and his family because they had faith in God and listened to his instructions

Now this may not be a popular story to hear and we may not like it. But truth is not dictated by our feelings. If God is just, then there are consequences for our sins. Unless you become reconciled with God through Christ, judgement will be upon You

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Luke 17:28-29

The same with the Days of Lot, wickedness and sinfulness filled these cities and everyone refused to repent. Again you see people living and partying, ignoring God. Even though Christ himself came down with Angels (Genesis 18) to warn the people they would not repent

Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Luke 17:30

So what does the world look like today? Wickedness, evil, and immorality all around us. People partying, distracted with themselves, nobody is listening to God. The times seem very similar , are you ready for the return of Christ?