30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 18 18-30 FOLLOWING JESUS TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE 04 The expectation of the law
📖 Luke 18:18-30
01Oct2020 - *The expectation of the law* - _Luke 18:18-30_ - FOLLOWING JESUS TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE 4 – Bible reading: _Matthew 5:21-24_
Is there a distinction between ‘doing’ and 'keeping' of the law?
We will understand this difference when we consider a couple of commandments and what its implications were in the sight of God. Therefore, we can be sure that the Lord did not expect the young man to obey the commandments, only as an outward way of life, but the Lord was expecting him to keep the commandments in the way it was pleasing to God.
_Matthew 19:16-20 Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" (17) So He 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." (18) He said to Him, …_
The Lord response to the young man’s quest was that he should keep the commandments. He responded by asking, _" Which ones?"_
The question that he has raised to Jesus tells us that he was fully aware that there were laws that were to be kept toward God and there were laws that were to be kept toward people. This man’s struggle was obviously in relation to the laws toward God, for that is where he knew, he lacked, which was what caused him to have the serious anxiety of assurance of eternal life.
The Lord then specified the commandments that he should keep, which were all related to people. _Matthew 19:18-20 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,’ (19) ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER,' and, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' " (20) The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?"_
The young man’s response was that all of these commandments, which were associated with people, he had *kept*. You can see that he has changed his vocabulary. He came asking, _“what good thing shall *I do* that I may have eternal life?"_ but after the Lord had detailed the commandments, his response was, _"All these things *I have kept* from my youth. What do I still lack?"_ He is now speaking the language of God, of keeping the commandments.
We see that the Lord loved him. _Mark 10:21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, …_ The Lord’s manner of responding to him shows us that he had kept the commandments in the way it was expected of God. This meant that this young man was truly in an intimate relationship with God. To keep the commandments, in the culture in which it is expected by God, would require a person to be in a deep relationship with Him.
Let us consider the substance of a couple of the commandments. _Matthew 5:21-24 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' (22) But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. (23) Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, (24) leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift._
When we understand murder from God’s perspective, where do we stand? This matter of murder is about our relationships with people, starting with those closest to us, whom we claim, we love. Does this not show us, who we really are? Knowing who we truly are, should it not cause us to repent before Him?
Let us look at the matter of adultery. _Matthew 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.' (28) But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart._
D L Moody said, “Character is who you are in the dark”. What are the thoughts that play on our minds and hearts? Who are we, truly? Can we claim that we have not committed adultery or murder?
In light of the implications of the law and the keeping of it, this young man had met the expectations of God. He had kept the law to its true sense since he was in a love relationship with God.
I look at this young man as being far ahead of me, in his walk with God but yet he had come to Jesus with this question on eternal life. The story throws open for us that our assumptions on eternal life, require a fresh look.
*Thought to ponder*
```Are we open for God to captivate us completely for Him and Him alone?```