The command of the Lord (2)

This is the day that the LORD has made. We shall be glad and rejoice in it. Thank you LORD God for this day of Your goodness, Your mercy, Your love and redemption in the name of Jesus, Amen.

In the gospel of Matthew is a story of a rich young ruler who inquires from Jesus about what he ought to do to enter eternal life. Jesus told the rich young ruler "...if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:17).

Jesus' response reveals a correlation between keeping the ten commandments and entering eternal life. In my previous post, I shared the different ways that God's command may come to us and one of the ways is through the law.

At the same time, I believe God's heart is for His commandments to lead all who would receive them to His appointed and precious inheritance which is eternal life found in Christ.

When Jesus told the rich young ruler about keeping the commandments, he shared how he follows all the commandments like honoring his parents, not stealing, not committing adultery, bearing false witness and loving his neighbor as he loves himself (Matthew 19:18-19). So he asked Jesus, "all these things I have kept from youth, what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Matthew 19:20-22). Jesus tells this young ruler something profound, if you want to be perfect. The law of commandments is good and it is made perfect through Jesus because as the Son of God, He is the way, the truth and the life and no one can come to the Father except through him (John 14:6).

Unlike with the law of Moses, where one has "to do" with Jesus, the work is already finished and all you have to do is to receive Him which is the reason He says follow me. When Jesus was preaching to multitudes about the gospel, some asked Him in John 6:28-29 NLT, "...We want to perform God's works, too. What should we do?" Jesus told them, "This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the One He has sent." With the commandments of Moses, you keep them to enter into life.

After the departure of the rich young ruler, Jesus proceeded to tell His disciples "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:23) Jesus is not against wealth but if wealth has your heart, then your heart cannot behold the treasure that is Jesus. Romans 10:10 (NKJV) says, "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

The disciples in great amazement asked who can be saved? (Matthew 19:25). I believe they would not have asked this question if they were poor. Jesus replied, "...With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26).

I'll end with Jesus' Word found in John 15:1-5 (NKJV)

1. "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

2. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit

3. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

4. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Amen, thank you LORD.

Invitation to salvation: If you would like to know and experience this love of God that is found in His Son Christ who forgives your sins, cleanses you and makes you whole, I invite you to a personal relationship with Him where He is no longer only God to you but also Father. If this sounds like you, please confess the prayer below,

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour today and forever." AMEN!

Congratulations, you are the redeemed of the LORD! Glory to God. In case you are not already a part of a church community, join one and get water baptized.