Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
Jesus surprised his disciples by stating that it was exceptionally difficult for any rich man to be saved from the wrath of God and to enter into eternal life. They thought that rich men in Israel were the most righteous of all people. (They had the money to be able to appear to be the most righteous.) And if rich men would scarcely be saved, then how could poor, despised disciples hope to escape the damnation of God? Having gathered the courage to ask the Lord about his alarming statement, one of the disciples, no doubt trembling within, approached Jesus with the question, "Who then can be saved?"
The first part of Jesus' response must have struck the disciples with terror: "With men, it is impossible. . ." This was an unheard-of doctrine! Impossible for men to escape the wrath of God? Impossible for men to escape damnation in the Lake of Fire? Impossible for men to obtain eternal life? How frightening a note that was for Jesus to offer them!
But then, he added a ray of hope by concluding, "but with God all things are possible."
Yes, there is hope for man, but only if God does something. Nothing man has the power and wisdom to do can possibly rid his soul of sin and empower him to obey the commandments of God. Sin is too much a part of man's nature for him to make himself a new and clean creature. There is hope for man's salvation, but only if God acts.
What does that mean, though, in practical terms? What was Jesus really telling his disciples by saying, "With men it is impossible to be saved, but with God, all things are possible"? Its simplest and most challenging meaning is this:
It means that it is impossible for anything that man can do, think, or build by his own power and understanding to save anyone from sin and its consequences. It means that physical circumcision, commanded by God for men to do under the Old Testament, is no longer of any spiritual value, and that only the circumcision of man's heart that God gives is of any profit to the soul (Rom. 2:28). It means that no baptism that a man administers can possibly wash away sins or benefit the soul in any way, and that only the baptism of the holy Ghost that Christ gives is of any value for obtaining eternal life. It means that no "communion" using natural things that men serve is of any spiritual value, and that only the "communion of the holy Ghost" is of God. It means that no congregation that can be joined is God's congregation, and that only the body Jesus baptizes men into by the holy Ghost will save anyone. Nothing that man can do will save anyone. It is the work of God that saves.
Listen to the voice of Jesus! "With men, it is impossible!"
Do not trust in water baptisms. Men give them. Do not trust in "churches". Men build them. Do not even taste of the communion that men hand to you. Do not trust in the doctrines and ceremonies that men have devised. With men, it is impossible to do anything for your soul. They can do something to your body and tell you that it will benefit your soul, but do not trust the word of men. Trust your soul to the Word of God.
Be wise, and trust in God. Let Him be both your greatest fear and your strong tower. Christianity is a religion built upon what men say and do. Come out of it! Put all your faith in Jesus and in his power to save. He alone is "able to save to the uttermost" those who trust in him. With men, it is impossible.