18 Then a certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone.

20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’”

21 “All these I have kept from my youth,” he said.

22 On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

23 But when the ruler heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.

— Luke 18:18-23

And when He [The Spirit] comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment

— John 16:8

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

One time a rich young ruler who came to Jesus asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”Jesus knew this man and He did not answer, “Just believe.” Instead, Jesus mentioned the Ten Commandments to him. Jesus knew that this man was blind in his heart. He thought he has done all the Law required him to do and he was righteous. Jesus held up the law to show him that he wasn’t actually keeping all the law. When Jesus told him to sell his possessions and follow Him, the rich young ruler went away sad because he could not give up his wealth. Jesus used the law not to condemn him permanently, but to expose his idol—his wealth— in his heart.

Jesus didn’t rush to grace. He exposed our sin using God‘s holy standard. We can learn from Jesus. When we apply the Law right we are not acting alone. We’re partnering with the Holy Spirit. John 16:8 says that when the Holy Spirit comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.