Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
There is no one we know of who isn't interested in eternal life. We all want to live better, longer, and more fulfilling lives, so the prospect of living eternally is an issue that sparks both debate and interest in secular and religious circles alike. Human nature naturally recoils at the prospect of death, and fear of the unknown consequently acts as a catalyst for myriads of theories and suppositions regarding immortality.
It is worthy of note, that in the passage of scripture above, Jesus referred the questioner to the law of God. In response the lawyer gave a brief synopsis of the decalogue, or a summary of the ten commandments. Jesus then confirmed the man's reply by saying "This do and thou shalt live". The next logical question then is, what is the connection between the law and eternal life?
The law of God in and of itself cannot offer eternal life, only God can. However, it is of critical importance for us to understand that God's law, which is as sacred as Himself, forms an integral and indispensable factor in the lives of all those who desire immortality. The Bible is very clear on this point, so we will explain as we go. Let's read:
Psalms 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
True and thorough conversion cannot take place without the law of God. While it is true that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, the whole purpose of the plan of salvation is to bring humanity back into harmony with the principles of God's kingdom, which form the basis of His government. Without this main purpose being fulfilled, the death of Christ would have been in vain, and that's why, from the moment that we are saved by God's grace, He begins the very important work of writing His law in our hearts. Let's read:
Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Any doctrine that teaches its adherents to dispense with the ten commandments is not based on scripture. The law of God was not nailed to the cross when Jesus died, for then we could not be held accountable now for sin. But the Bible explicitly states that "all" have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and furthermore the last book of the Bible refers to the commandments of God over and over again as being an indispensable asset to anyone desiring eternal life. Let's read:
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
If therefore we wish to be saved in God's kingdom when Jesus comes, our lives would have to be in harmony with the ten foundational principles of God's government, and there is absolutely no other way mentioned in the Bible, that God is going to grant immortality to members of the human family. If He were to give us eternal life whilst we were living contrary to His laws, He would then be immortalizing sin, and therefore satan also will have a valid case for being saved too, since he is the author of sin and misery. But according to the Bible this is never to take place. Let's read:
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
It is in this present life that sin is to be separated from us. God has granted probationary time to all who are willing, to be cleansed from all unrighteousness though the imputed and imparted righteousness of Christ. So while we do not trust in commandment-keeping for salvation, yet we need to surrender ourselves to the working of the Holy spirit, so that the law of God may be indelible etched into our consciences from day to day. This is the work that God desires to do in every heart, and if we cooperate with Him it will be brought to perfection.
We therefore end with a direct plea from the Lord Jesus Christ to us individually:
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
May this be our experience from now on. "Good night" and God bless!