WHAT SHALL I DO?
For those seeking the Saviour and the gift of eternal life, the question: What shall I do? is valid and fitting, because the Scriptures tell us in Luke 11:9 to Ask, Seek and Knock.
- Asking who can save us and being pointed toward the Saviour is STEP ONE.
- Seeking out the Saviour is STEP TWO.
- Knocking on the door of Salvation and requesting entry is STEP THREE.
THE SEEKER’S QUESTION – WHAT SHALL I DO?
And when He was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? ….. Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother ….. Sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven: and come, take up the Cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
Mark 10:17-22
Here we are told of a man who, on hearing what was a prerequisite of inheriting eternal life, went away sad, because he was not willing to do what was required of him, deciding that the price was too high to pay. How many people have made this same decision? How many millions of souls have turned their backs on the greatest gift ever offered thinking that to claim it they would lose too much? Not realising that for short-term gain they gave up long-term security. Trading what could be stolen or lost in a moment, for what is steadfast and rock solid for eternity.
THE CYNIC’S QUESTION – WHAT SHALL I DO?
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, tempting Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? He answered: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself ….. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Answer: The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-29
You will no doubt have noticed the sneaky way this Lawyer side-stepped the main issues regarding his question. He ignores the fact that his heart is in the wrong place and focuses rather on trying to trap Jesus by asking who his neighbour is, which is typical of those who don’t really want to be told what to do, rather seeking praise and approval for what they do already. Trying to justify ourselves and our actions is a typical response of those who are not really serious about getting right with God.
THE SUCCESSFUL MAN’S QUESTION – WHAT SHALL I DO?
The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits.
Luke 12:15-21
Here we have a rich man who places so much emphasis on his wealth and the abundance of his crops that he ignores the fact that life itself is tenuous and fragile at very least. He pulls down his barns, and builds bigger ones to contain all his produce and then he congratulates himself that he can now relax, he can eat, drink and be merry on account of the fact that he has laid up goods to last many years. God on the other hand, has other ideas and warns us against laying up treasures for ourselves. That night the rich man died and he had to leave behind all that he had worked for. So it is for those who spend their lives amassing riches here on earth and neglecting to store up treasures in Heaven.
We need to realise that earth is not our final resting place and that what we do with Jesus now, will determine what He does with us in the future. If living for and getting to know the Saviour is our treasure here on earth, we will stockpile much treasure in Heaven where we will, one day, experience the full measure of Him.
An exciting prospect indeed!