What does Jesus say are the conditions for eternal life?

In Matthew 19:16-30, Jesus tells the rich young ruler that to have eternal life, one must "keep the commandments." He further emphasizes following Him and being willing to give up worldly possessions for His sake.

Why did the disciples ask, "Who then can be saved?"

After Jesus' discourse on the difficulty for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, and His statement that "With men this is impossible," the disciples were astonished and asked this question, highlighting the seemingly impossible standard set by Christ.

Does "grace" fulfill the requirements for salvation?

The article from 1st John interprets Jesus' teachings in Matthew 19 and 7 as imperatives for us to do, involving choice, serious effort, and commitment. It suggests that these requirements for salvation are not merely fulfilled through grace, but demand active participation from the believer.

What does Matthew 7:21-23 teach about entering the kingdom of heaven?

Matthew 7:21-23 teaches that not everyone who claims "Lord, Lord" will enter heaven, but only "he who does the will of My Father in heaven." Jesus warns against practicing "lawlessness" and emphasizes the necessity of being obedient to God's law to truly know Him.

Who Then Can Be Saved?

5 minutes

Jesus' Conditions for Eternal Life

The disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 19:25 , “who then can be saved”?

Jesus spoke in multiple places in the Bible concerning who will be saved. He spoke in clear simple language so we can know the conditions He has set for us to receive redemption through Him. Let us consider some of what He told us:

Matthew 19:16-26: A wealthy young man approaced Jesus and asked Him, what was required of him to be saved. Jesus told him to keep the commandments. The young man said he had done so since youth; was there anything more? Jesus told him to go and sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow Him, and he would be perfect (complete). But the young man was wealthy, and he left saddended. The love of riches impedes salvation.

Matthew 7:13-14 and Luke 13:23-27: Jesus in two places tells us the way to salvation is like passing through a narrow gate. Many attempt, but few are able. In one example the easy life was the preferred path (the broad way) and it was preferred over the difficult path. In the other example it was delay (laziness) and disobedience. Jesus says He does not “know” people who persist in iniquity.

John 3:3-8: Jesus says we cannot enter the kingdom unless we are reborn of water and Spirit. Without rebirth there is no salvation.

Keeping Commandments and Following Christ: Our Imperatives

In a sweeping overview, we are made aware that Jesus sets conditons for salvation. Yes, the free gift of eternal is conditional. It cannot be earned, but nonetheless, we must meet the criteria to receive it, it is imperative.

Are any of these imperatives fulfilled “for us” through grace? We think not. Think of it like this: Grace provides us with all that Jesus did for us on the cross, the part we cannot earn and only His blood can atone. Yet the criteria He has set we must pursue, and if we don’t, He says we will not be in the kingdom. Let’s look at another passage where Jesus speaks about what is required for salvation:

Doing the Will of the Father: Beyond Lip Service

Matthew 7:21-23: 21) “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22) Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23) And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

Jesus tells us that to enter the kingdom of heaven we must do the will of the Father and be obedient to the law. Just two chapters earlier in Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus told us to keep the whole law. These verses are all contained in the Sermon on the Mount, the best known in all of Jesus’ sermons recorded in the Bible. While all salvation imperatives are required, we think the greatest imperative is to obey God.