We Must Do More Than Just Keep the Commandments

Note from today’s Bible reading: Matthew 18-19

One who was identified as a rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked Him, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). Initially, he probably seemed like one who was interested in doing whatever needed to be done to accomplish the Lord’s will. In His answer, Jesus simply told him, “Keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17).

When someone wants to be sure he understands something, he will often ask a follow-up question. So the young man asked Jesus which commandments he should keep and Jesus listed several of the more fundamental commandments contained in the Law of Moses (Matthew 19:18-19).

Impressively, this young man said he had kept all of these and asked, “What am I still lacking?” (Matthew 19:20). To us, it may have seemed like this young man was well on his way to obtaining eternal life. Yet Jesus knew his heart. So He told him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21). Jesus knew that this young man needed to be freed from the grip of materialism on his heart. Until this was overcome, simply observing various commandments in the law was not going to be good enough. His heart was not right.

So remember that we must do more than just keep the commandments. Obedience certainly is important and necessary. However, if our heart values material things (or anything else) more than the Lord, we will never reach the life He has promised the faithful.