If You Want To Enter Into Life

"If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." (1)

One day an individual came to Jesus "and said to Him, 'Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?' Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.' He said to Him, 'Which ones?' Jesus said, 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother,' and 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' The young man said to Him, 'All these things I have kept from my 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." (2)

Jesus obviously was referring here to the last six of the ten commandments. When the young man asked what he still lacked, Jesus lumped the first four commandments into His statement when He said, "come, follow Me." The first four commandments relate to our love, respect and duty to God. Many people today believe that the ten commandments were done away at the cross. However, that was not the attitude of Jesus. Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, till haven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." (3) He also further instructed His Disciples just before His crucifixion, "If you love Me, keep My commandments... He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me... If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word." (4)

God's commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai were for the protection of society. They are principles of love and respect for one another and for God. If these principles were incorporated into the lives of everyone living, what a different world this would be. This is the society represented by the kingdom of heaven that God is building, one person at a time. The commandments are not what save us. Our relationship to Jesus and to God is what saves us. However, when we have that special relationship with God, He promises to put His law into our minds and hearts. (5) Paul testified, "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (6)

1. Matthew 19:17.
2. Matthew 19:16-22.
3. Matthew 5:18.
4. John 14:15, 21, 23.
5. Jeremiah 31:33.
6. Romans 13:10.