Please help me, I am going crazy. Why does the parable of the Rich Young Ruler appear to teach works based salvation? When the Rich Young Ruler asked Jesus what he must do for eternal life, WHY DOES JESUS GIVE HIM A WORK TO DO (sell all his possessions and follow Jesus)? Why didn't Jesus give him the correct answer, which is "believe in me"? If this passage is teaching works salvation then the Rich Ruler and I are both going to hell because I am guilty of the same thing. God asked me to give something up and I refused, my attitude was like, "no, salvation is free". I've learned salvation is NOT free. I even remember God warning me that I would go to hell if I didn't give this thing up. Very scary. I have gone to countless pastors and others in leadership and NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN THE PARABLE OF THE RICH RULER!! WHY?! I haven't felt God's presence or heard His voice in 12 years so I wouldn't be surprised if I was damned.