Jesus replied, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."

[mnorian]

Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27But Jesus said,“What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28“Look,” said Peter, “we have left everything we had to follow You.”… Luke 18:26-28

 

[Alithis]

I long that we would all believe these words more.
Not just say we do

 

[mnorian]

I long that we would all believe these words more.
Not just say we do

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 KJV

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I long that we would all believe these words more.
Not just say we do

I do too. They way in which God saves man is the bedrock of Christianity.

 

[Alithis]

I do too. They way in which God saves man is the bedrock of Christianity.

I wonder then at the words in the op verses.
For what is the thing in particular that seemed so difficult as to be impossible ?
....You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”...

Then they ask how then can anyone be saved. Because methinks that this one fundamental action of Faith and trust strikes such a fear into the flesh.
But God is so able to do transform the heart of man once that man dies to himself that he may live for Christ.that he not only becomes willing to do the above..but actually goes and does it.
Only God can so change the heart that way..

 

[jimmyjimmy]

But God is so able to do transform the heart of man once that man dies to himself

I would completely disagree with the order you propose.

 

[grasping the after wind]

I wonder then at the words in the op verses.
For what is the thing in particular that seemed so difficult as to be impossible ?
....You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”...

Then they ask how then can anyone be saved. Because methinks that this one fundamental action of Faith and trust strikes such a fear into the flesh.
But God is so able to do transform the heart of man once that man dies to himself that he may live for Christ.that he not only becomes willing to do the above..but actually goes and does it.
Only God can so change the heart that way..

From the context, it would seem to me that the particular thing the disciples found distressing and impossible was that a rich man entering the kingdom was about as likely as a camel fitting through the eye of a needle. For the disciples that would have meant that even the most pious and righteous among them were doomed to be excluded from the kingdom. Their worldview at the time would have been that God rewards those that are good by making them prosperous right here and right now. The rich therefore would have been considered the best and most righteous among them and the poor the most sinful. An idea that is more akin to the hindu idea of karma and at lest as as out of touch with Christian theology as the currently popular one that reverses those roles. Many people can be less than critical thinkers if facts get in the way of their preconceived notions. . So for them at that time , if it was impossible for even a rich man to enter the kingdom, then no one could.

Additionally, I have to agree with jimmyjimmy that God does not wait for anything from us in order to transform our hearts. With God, anything and everything is possible. Even a camel fitting through the eye of a needle and both a rich and a poor man entering the kingdom.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Forsaking all to follow Him I see as akin to the idea of loving God first and foremost as the only qualifyer for discipleship. Luke 14:26, Luke 18:29 something that is impossible without God's help of turning from all other idols to turn toward God. Those who have richness of life have often all the rewards they are ever going to get. But those who forsake all to follow Him will sit with Him to judge in the coming age. Luke 22:30, Matthew 19:27-28

 

[mnorian]

Deeper Fellowship Statement of Purpose:
The Deeper Fellowship forum is a place for members to have peaceful, uplifting, encouraging, and safe interactions with fellow believers. The focus of this forum is on the love of Christ and all that He has done for us, giving us access to the Father through Him as we are guided by the Holy Spirit. Those who choose to participate in this forum are looking for a deeper walk with the Lord through fellowship with His family.

This forum is not the place to discuss or debate church practices, specific church leaders, interpretations of Scripture or theological topics. If you would like to discuss or debate any of these topics please do so in the appropriate forum. Please remember that personal Prophecy (prophetic utterance) is considered off-topic to all site forums; these may be posted in your own personal Blog or the Christian Forums Blogs.

It's alright to discuss Scripture if it's done in the spirit of fellowship and praise and not with the intention of getting into a debate about the interpretation of Scripture or theological topics. We would like this forum to remain a place where Christian members from all denominations can find pure, simple, and uncomplicated love of our Savior and of our family in Him.

 

[Alithis]

From the context, it would seem to me that the particular thing the disciples found distressing and impossible was that a rich man entering the kingdom was about as likely as a camel fitting through the eye of a needle. For the disciples that would have meant that even the most pious and righteous among them were doomed to be excluded from the kingdom. Their worldview at the time would have been that God rewards those that are good by making them prosperous right here and right now. The rich therefore would have been considered the best and most righteous among them and the poor the most sinful. An idea that is more akin to the hindu idea of karma and at lest as as out of touch with Christian theology as the currently popular one that reverses those roles. Many people can be less than critical thinkers if facts get in the way of their preconceived notions. . So for them at that time , if it was impossible for even a rich man to enter the kingdom, then no one could.

Additionally, I have to agree with jimmyjimmy that God does not wait for anything from us in order to transform our hearts. With God, anything and everything is possible. Even a camel fitting through the eye of a needle and both a rich and a poor man entering the kingdom.

Hmm well can't go into it much here.
But then if he requires nothing from us in order to change our hearts...
Then why is the first thing he tells us an action WE are to do.
Why is everyone not instantly automatically saved.
...a good New thread topic.

 

[Alithis]

Deeper Fellowship Statement of Purpose:
The Deeper Fellowship forum is a place for members to have peaceful, uplifting, encouraging, and safe interactions with fellow believers. The focus of this forum is on the love of Christ and all that He has done for us, giving us access to the Father through Him as we are guided by the Holy Spirit. Those who choose to participate in this forum are looking for a deeper walk with the Lord through fellowship with His family.

This forum is not the place to discuss or debate church practices, specific church leaders, interpretations of Scripture or theological topics. If you would like to discuss or debate any of these topics please do so in the appropriate forum. Please remember that personal Prophecy (prophetic utterance) is considered off-topic to all site forums; these may be posted in your own personal Blog or the Christian Forums Blogs.

It's alright to discuss Scripture if it's done in the spirit of fellowship and praise and not with the intention of getting into a debate about the interpretation of Scripture or theological topics. We would like this forum to remain a place where Christian members from all denominations can find pure, simple, and uncomplicated love of our Savior and of our family in Him.

Replies before seeing this..but then I advocated persuing it in a New thread ..... I was trying lol

 

[Alithis]

Forsaking all to follow Him I see as akin to the idea of loving God first and foremost as the only qualifyer for discipleship. Luke 14:26, Luke 18:29 something that is impossible without God's help of turning from all other idols to turn toward God. Those who have richness of life have often all the rewards they are ever going to get. But those who forsake all to follow Him will sit with Him to judge in the coming age. Luke 22:30, Matthew 19:27-28

Well that is what is written

 

[mnorian]

Forsaking all to follow Him I see as akin to the idea of loving God first and foremost as the only qualifyer for discipleship.

My love is the Lord

 

[mnorian]

On the question: "What did Jesus mean when He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven?"

After looking around the net I found two answers that have been pretty much refuted:
1--Cyril of Alexandria claimed that "camel" is a Greek misspelling; that kamêlos (camel) was a written in place of kamilos, meaning "rope" or "cable; meaning it is very hard to pass a rope thought a needle; unless the needle is very big or the rope is very small. As this is Ex Biblical; it is pretty much just Cyril's thoughts.
2-- The "Eye of the Needle" has been claimed to be a gate in Jerusalem, which opened after the main gate was closed at night. A camel could only pass through this smaller gate if it was stooped and had its baggage removed. This story has been put forth since at least the 15th century, and possibly as far back as the 9th century. However, there is no widely accepted evidence for the existence of such a gate. (Wiki)

I found this answer from Got Questions? dot-org; that I like a lot:

The most likely explanation is that Jesus was using hyperbole, a figure of speech that exaggerates for emphasis. Jesus used this technique at other times, referring to a “plank” in one’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5) and swallowing a camel (Matthew 23:24).

Jesus’ message is clear—it is impossible for anyone to be saved on his own merits. Since wealth was seen as proof of God’s approval, it was commonly taught by the rabbis that rich people were blessed by God and were, therefore, the most likely candidates for heaven. Jesus destroyed that notion, and along with it, the idea that anyone can earn eternal life. The disciples had the appropriate response to this startling statement. They were utterly amazed and asked, “Who then can be saved?” in the next verse. If the wealthy among them, which included the super-spiritual Pharisees and scribes, were unworthy of heaven, what hope was there for a poor man?

Jesus’ answer is the basis of the gospel: "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Matthew 19:26). Men are saved through God’s gifts of grace, mercy, and faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Nothing we do earns salvation for us. It is the poor in spirit who inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:3), those who recognize their spiritual poverty and their utter inability to do anything to justify themselves to a holy God. The rich man so often is blind to his spiritual poverty because he is proud of his accomplishments and has contented himself with his wealth. He is as likely to humble himself before God as a camel is to crawl through the eye of a needle.