“Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.”
Leviticus 18:5
Many Israelites believed that obedience was the mechanism of their salvation. They took the Law of Moses to mean that if they would obey, then they would live. The problem—then and now—is that obeying that law perfectly is impossible.
To truly obey is not just a matter of following rules or checking boxes. It’s a way of life, a reflection of the state of the heart. Jesus does not commend the rich young ruler for having “kept” all the commandments. Rather, He tells him he still lacks something. His money is in the way, that’s for sure, but this had to do with more than just the man’s riches. Coming to Jesus means entering into a relationship with Him. It is a way of life for which heart obedience follows.
If we keep our eyes on Jesus’ life all the way to the cross, we see Him die for our sins, for all our failed attempts to obey perfectly. When we see His love for us, when we know He was resurrected and now reigns in heaven, our obedience becomes a response of gratitude, love, and worship, not rule following.
To truly obey is not just a matter of following rules or checking boxes. It’s a way of life, a reflection of the state of the heart. Jesus does not commend the rich young ruler for having “kept” all the commandments. Rather, He tells him he still lacks something. His money is in the way, that’s for sure, but this had to do with more than just the man’s riches. Coming to Jesus means entering into a relationship with Him. It is a way of life for which heart obedience follows.
If we keep our eyes on Jesus’ life all the way to the cross, we see Him die for our sins, for all our failed attempts to obey perfectly. When we see His love for us, when we know He was resurrected and now reigns in heaven, our obedience becomes a response of gratitude, love, and worship, not rule following.
Scripture Focus
Matthew 19:16-21
Insight
“Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4)
Bible In A Year
- Jeremiah 15-16
- Psalm 111
- Romans 13-14
