16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." This is such a simple statement but easily over looked. The rich man can not become perfect because he does not desire to lose his wealth. The rich man has deceived himself into thinking that he has kept these various laws. But in Lutheran Confirmation classes people are taught that all these commandments require obedience to the first commandment.
Love the Lord your God with your entire heart, soul, and mind. The rich young man places his possessions before God. He has thus not kept these commandments. But here is the actual truth. The rich man comes to Jesus to find out how he can make himself perfect. "with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.". Remember St Paul was a persecutor of the Church, and God made him an Apostle and an Evangelist.
God can take rich people and make them perfect. God can make a homosexual perfect. God can make a drunk perfect. God can actually make his spouse perfect. Humans can not do these things on heir own, but they often try or just give up. Spouses often times desire to change each other, but they can not so rather than working together they split up. Drunks either will search out help or desire pity from friends and family. Homosexuals often desire people to accept them rather than face natural Law. God points put the various sins in each of our lives. God is constantly working to change us.
"With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible." God is making us perfect through His Son Christ Jesus. Christ has saved you from your sins follow him, out your deprave life.
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