What Jesus Did! 'An Eternally Important Question' — Luke 18:18

Monday, October 23, 2023

Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?"
— Luke 18:18 NLT

Key Thought

Can you think of a more important question than this? I can think of several that are equally important, but they all ultimately come down to the same basic issue: Am I living for God with all that I am, have, and do? Jesus' description of the final judgment [1] reminds each of us of the importance of using who we are and what God has given us to bless others who are in need. So, rather than focusing just on eternal life, we each should ask ourselves, "Am I living for God in a way that life forever with him will be the result?" So, are you? Are you confident in that life with Christ forever? God wants us to be. [2] Now, whether the religious leader's motives in today's verse were pure is really not relevant to our asking the same question. We can ask it from a pure and undefiled heart, seeking to honor and glorify God. When we do, we can know where we stand and with whom we stand.

[1] Matthew 25:31-46.
[2] Ephesians 1:13-14.

Today's Prayer

Father, I know many people want to live forever simply to prolong their lives and to escape their fear of nothingness or eternal punishment. While those issues are of importance, dear Father, I long to be with you - to know you, to be able to see you face-to-face, and to honor you and praise you with your angels. You have blessed me so abundantly with your grace. You paid the price for forgiveness of my sins at an incredible cost to yourself. I long, dear Father, to live for you and then stand before your throne and tell you through eternity how magnificent you are and how precious you are to me. In Jesus' name, I praise and honor you, Almighty God. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 John 5:13-15
  • John 5:24-29
  • Acts 2:37-42

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 18:18 NLT — Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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