#74. Eternal Life in Heaven

In this think-piece, you shall find two contradictory answers to a most important question: What is the requirement for obtaining eternal life in heaven? The first answer is from Jesus and the second is from Paul.

Answer #1:

As he started out on a trip, a man came running up to Jesus, knelt down, and asked. "Good teacher, what should I do to get eternal life?"

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked. "Only God is truly good? But as for your question, you know the commandments: 'Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not testify falsely. Do not cheat. Honor your father and mother."

"Teacher," the man replied, "I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was a child."

Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. "You lack only one thing," he told him. "Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

At this the man’s face fell, and he went sadly away because he had many possessions. (Mark 10:17-22)

Apparently, Jesus sensed that the man was overly attached to his material wealth. The man was not at all pleased with Jesus’ answer. Hypothetically, that is, what-if that the man later sought out Paul for a second opinion to the same question. Here is the answer Paul would have given him.

Answer #2: 

“... eternal life is what one receives as a free gift from God  through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) “…we Jewish Christians know that we become right with God, not by doing what the law commands, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be accepted by God because of our faith in Christ – and not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will be saved by obeying the law.” (Galatians 2:16)

WOW! Forget about salvation by obeying the law! Paul’s answer was in direct opposition to Jesus’ answer. For Paul, salvation was about belief in Christ Jesus, but Jesus emphasized the commandments, saying absolutely nothing to the man about having faith in himself.

Now, let us consider another hypothetical -- a what-if scenario. Imagine that Jesus and Paul change places. Let’s switch both the order of the sequence of events, as well as the answers each man presents to the man. In other words, let’s suppose that the man first goes to Paul with his question. However, Paul gives the identical answer #1 which Jesus had originally provided: follow the law which Moses gave -- obey the commandments; and release your attachments to your possessions. 

Not satisfied, let's imagine that the man next goes to Jesus with the same question, but hears from the lips of the Master the answer #2 which Paul had originally given. 

Are you still with me? Let’s listen in on the conversation with Jesus. Go ahead -- put on your headphones.

"Good teacher, what should I do to get eternal life?" 

Jesus says, “... eternal life is what one receives as a free gift from God  through Jesus Christ our Lord … we Jewish Christians know that we become right with God, not by doing what the law commands, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be accepted by God because of our faith in Christ – and not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will be saved by obeying the law.”

The man is bewildered and asks for clarification, “Well, who is this Jesus Christof whom you speak?” 

Jesus points to himself and exclaims with authority, “It’s ME! It’s ME! You won’t get eternal life by following Moses and obeying his commandments! Forget Moses. Forget the law. You have to have faith in ME!”

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