I have read the scripture verse repeatedly and I admit that today is the first time that I see that it is truly about salvation. God can save anyone at any time, even those whom we deem a hopeless cause because He makes all things possible. But then, there is that little sticky point called free will. God can cross that threshold but He chooses not to do so. Thus, it is up to the free will of the individual to accept the gift of salvation. God will do everything He can to get the attention of the unbeliever and to bring him or her to the knowledge that what they really need in life is Jesus Christ. God can and will do the impossible if we believe. He will act according to His timetable and His plan. If this post seems a little muddled and not quite clear, that is how I am actually feeling. I know that God can do the impossible and will save those who come to Him. The hard thing to understand is that they have to choose to come to Him. He doesn’t drag anyone kicking and screaming to the altar of salvation. God will do His part, but we cannot expect Him to force someone to be saved. That is not part of His nature or His plan. So, if you, like me, are believing for the salvation of a loved one, perhaps pray for God to do the impossible but also pray for the person to want to be saved, to see the need for salvation, so that they come to the Lord willingly. That may seem impossible, but God does answer prayers. After all, I’m a living testimony of someone who had no idea I needed Jesus Christ as my Savior until one day I did know and I did come to Him and repent!

Jesus Does the Impossible

Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:26 is often taken out of context. Many people have taken this verse to mean that they can do anything they want in life because God can do the impossible. Often this can lead to us asking God to do something selfish.

In order to understand what Jesus is saying, we should read the preceding verses. In Matthew 19:16-22, a young man comes to Jesus asking for eternal life. Jesus tells him that he must give up all of his earthly possessions–something the young man is not willing to do. Because he failed the test, the young man failed to inherit eternal life.

Jesus says in Matthew 19:23 that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. The point is that loving Jesus requires everything we are. Our ultimate love cannot be split between Jesus and something else.

The disciples then ask, “Who can be saved?” Jesus responds in Matthew 19:26 that it is impossible for man to save himself—but it is possible with God. God can do the very thing that man cannot.

We cannot earn our salvation. We cannot work hard enough to attain it, and we can’t achieve it on our own. It is impossible. But with God all things are made possible for us to be saved. It is only through the work and power of Jesus that we have access to salvation. And through the empowerment of the Spirit, we are enabled to have faith in God.

What in your life is keeping you from faith in Jesus? Maybe it’s a relationship. Maybe it’s material possessions. Maybe it’s a wrong mindset. Whatever it might be—God has the power to remove these things from your heart so that you can have faith in Jesus. 

So spend some time with God today, and ask Him to search your heart. Ask Him to reveal anything within you that is keeping you from loving Jesus better. Then, do something daring—surrender those things over to God.