"And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible but with God all things are possible”" - Matthew 19:26 (NASB)

This is a clear reminder to us that we cannot earn our way to salvation. Christ uses the term “impossible” to emphasize this point when he was asked the questions by His disciples “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus had just given them a statement that it’s impossible for a rich man to be saved, this would have worried His disciples since the Jews would have associated God’s blessing with earthly riches (Deuteronomy 28:11). They thought the rich would have an advantage over others when it comes to redemption. On seeing the example of the rich young ruler, the disciples would have concluded that no one, weather rich or poor can be saved based on their own merit.

This would have led to the statement Jesus gives, and that the only way they can be saved in by Lord transforming the human heart. We have a remarkably clear teaching from Christ on the necessity of divine grace. Without God’s grace, no sinner could ever be saved.

Let us continue to be thankful for Gods divine grace and mercy on us and for saving us, especially because we did nothing to deserve it or could have done anything to earn it ourselves. As John Calvin said “Human will does not by liberty obtain grace, but by grace obtains liberty”.