Know The Commandments
The man was described as being rich, young and a ruler. His question to Jesus was, "Good teacher what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "You know the commandments." Read the full account in Mark 10:17-22.
Jesus gave the rich young ruler another commandment. "Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." (Mark 10:21) The young man was grieved at Jesus' command. He knew this commandment also but he did not obey. (Mark 10:22)
Sadly, the rich young ruler is not the only one who has known God's commandments, but failed to obey. Flashing in many hearts are know, but unobeyed commandments. If God's commandments are known by you, please have the courage to obey now before it is too late.
You know the commandment to study: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) The person desiring to go to heaven must be a diligent student of the Bible. Blessings flow to those who meditate on God's commandments day and night. "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night." (Psalms 1:2) You know the commandment -- Study!
You know the commandment to be baptized: Baptism is that act of faith that puts the believer, who has repented, into Christ. "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27) Baptism is a new beginning; it brings a new life. "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4) Through a simple, solemn act (baptism) one puts on Christ and becomes new. You know the commandment -- be baptized!
You know the commandment to worship:
For the Christian, the week begins with worship on the first day (Sunday). (Acts 20:7) This worship is to be in Spirit and Truth. "In Spirit" means from the heart and "in Truth" means by God's word. "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24) You know the commandment -- worship God!
You know the commandment to give:
God gives great promises to His people. (2 Peter 1:4) No promises are greater than those connected to our giving. "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38) God promised that you will be more blessed by giving than receiving. (Acts 20:35) You know the commandment -- give!
You know the commandment to live right. God's people are to shine forth as lights in a dark and crooked world. Paul wrote, "that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." (Philippians 2:15) Christians must give all diligence to be found living in and for Christ. "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless." (2 Peter 3:14) You know the commandment -- live right!
Will you receive Christ as your Lord and Savior this day? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized in order to be saved. (1 Peter 3:21)
If you know God's commandments happy are you if you keep them. (John 13:17) The great things in life can be yours as you know the commandments of God and keep them. "But He said, More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28)
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA