The Rubik's Cube of Salvation

Matthew 19 tells a story of a rich young man who came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

To this question Jesus replied. “... If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” He then listed the commandments from scripture.

“All these I have kept,” The young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor…then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

“What must I do to be saved?” This question is asked in several places throughout the scriptures. Jesus’ answer in each instance is never exactly the same—and is never simple.

Over the years, theologians have attempted to combine Christ’s answers to this question as if constructing a puzzle from its pieces. The result is like this… a Rubik’s cube of salvation. When we try to understand the gift of salvation, we twist and turn this puzzle.

I must keep the commandments.

I must sell all my possessions.

I must be born again.

I must be born of water and spirit.

I must …

The more I twist this puzzle around, the more confusing and incomplete it becomes. Then I remember Christ’s final words on this issue: “It is finished,” he said as he hung upon the cross. Then, his work completed, he died.

Salvation is like a Rubik’s Cube. It came to us complete. But we make a puzzle of it when we try to work it ourselves. After the rich young man went away sad, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”