Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life? (Matthew 19:16)
Menkato V Awomi
Dimapur
Are you familiar with this particular voice? The cry, What good works must I do to get eternal life? has been echoing throughout the ages, across centuries, cultures, and even in our own modern churches today. Sunday after Sunday, this question fills sermons, Bible studies, and personal reflections: What Good works must I do? What good works must we do?
This question, first recorded in Matthew 19:16, was asked by a rich young ruler. It carries a weight that no man can bear. It touches the deepest longing of humanity yet exposes the greatest impossibility of man: no one can ever earn eternal life by himself.
The way this ruler framed his question reveals the underlying struggle of humanity. It sounds deeply religious and noble, as though eternal life is something we can achieve, barter, or purchase by good works. The man was sure that the answer would affirm his lifelong effort of law-keeping, his strict observance of the Ten Commandments, and his sense of moral righteousness.
But Jesus’ response pierced through his assumptions. Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good. With these words, Jesus revealed that eternal life cannot be earned by human “goodness.” Our definition of good falls far short of God’s holiness.
The Trap of the Law
Many people still stumble at Jesus’ reply: If you want to enter life, keep the commandments. Without grasping the full context, some assume this is the formula for salvation that keeping the Ten Commandments secures eternal life. But Jesus wasn’t affirming works-based salvation; He was exposing the heart of the rich young ruler.
This man claimed he had kept all the commandments. Outwardly, he seemed righteous, yet Jesus pressed him further: Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor… then come, follow Me. Suddenly, the truth was revealed. His wealth had become his god, violating the very first commandment, You shall have no other gods before Me. His possessions were more precious to him than God Himself. And when confronted with the cost of surrender, he went away sorrowful.
This moment teaches us that law-keeping cannot save. If salvation were by the Law, Jesus would have taught it continually. But instead, He came proclaiming grace and truth (John 1:17).
The Purpose of the Law
Scripture clarifies why the Law was given. Romans tells us it was to reveal sin and show humanity’s guilt before God. Galatians 3:24–25 explains: So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
The Law was never the doorway to eternal life, it was the mirror to show us our need for a Savior. Jesus came not to reinforce a works-based system, but to redeem us from the Law of sin and death, bringing us into the light of His grace.
Eternal Life: The Gift of God
Here lies the heart of the gospel: eternal life is not earned. It cannot be bought by morality, charity, or religious effort. It is freely given by God, received by faith in Christ. If it came with a price tag, not a single human being could afford it.
Ephesians 2:8–9 states it plainly For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. This verse silences the eternal question of the rich young ruler. Salvation is not a reward for the righteous but a gift to the undeserving.
The Modern Echo
Even today, the same voice echoes through churches and societies. The world teaches: Do good, and you will receive good; do bad, and you will receive bad. This principle may apply to sowing and reaping in life, but when it comes to eternal life, it completely fails. Eternal life is not karma, not a balance scale of good vs. bad deeds.
Sadly, many churches still preach a subtle version of works righteousness teaching behavior modification instead of true transformation. They keep believers under the burden of performance, rather than pointing them to the finished work of Christ. But in God’s kingdom, there is no cosmic scale weighing good against evil. Without faith in Christ, even the best moral life cannot tip the balance in your favor.
The Call to Surrender
Eternal life begins not when we present our “good works” but when we lay them down. Scripture calls our righteousness “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). The rich young ruler clung to his wealth; others cling to self-righteousness, pride, or tradition. But Jesus calls us to surrender our works, our idols, our reliance on self and to place faith wholly in Him.
This requires humility. It takes a heart willing to say, I cannot earn it. I need You, Jesus. When we do, He gives us a fresh start, new life, and eternal security, not because of what we’ve done, but because of what He has done.
The question What good thing must I do to get eternal life? still lingers in the human heart. But the answer remains the same: you cannot do; you can only believe. Eternal life is not a transaction, it is a gift. It is not earned by law-keeping but received by faith in the One who fulfilled the Law on our behalf.
Lay down your good works at the feet of Jesus. Stop measuring salvation on the scales of morality. Eternal life is found only in Christ, through faith, by grace.
As Jesus Himself declared, This is the work of God: that you believe in the One He has sent. (John 6:29).
