This is a remarkable passage, the meeting of Christ with the rich, young ruler. It is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke, and each account adds something to the record.
All of us are so far from having that righteousness which God requires, that the best of our works are unacceptable to him. We have no notion of the sublime holiness of God. The idea that salvation is out of our reach, that there is nothing we can do to secure it, that we are one hundred percent dependent on God’s undeserved favour, does not occur to us. If I am to go to heaven, it must be given freely by grace. I can never deserve it.