What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?

Jesus was asked this question by a rich young man as told in the book of Matthew:

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:16-17)

A simple, direct question with a simple, direct answer, "keep the commandments".

And although Jesus had answered his question in a direct and unequivocal way, the young man found the answer not to his liking - probably because his question was not quite as direct as it appears to us on first reading. He had not asked simply, "What must I do to have eternal life?" Instead, he had asked, "What good thing must I do to have eternal life?"

He wanted to "do" some great act of faith or charity or religious signifigance, he wanted to "do" something good that would reward him with a free pass into the Kingdom of God. So we find,

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? (verse 20)

In current day language this is the rough equivalent of responding with, "Ok, ok, I got that in the bag, no problem, but what can I "DO"? Give me something to "DO"!" Obviously, his consideration of those perfect laws and his understanding of their weight was only slightly better than that of our own generation - (except that this young man at least acknowledged them to some degree).

Jesus, knowing where the young man's heart was in truth, gave answer in terms that would have more impact, He hit him in the wallet,

If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (verse 21)

Jesus had given him something to "do", as he wanted, something that would give him treasure in heaven (not eternal life). But He then restated His original answer for collecting that treasure, for that was the simple truth of the whole matter, "Come and follow me". His constant message to His followers was, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." You cannot follow Him, or inherit eternal life, unless you acknowledge and keep His perfect laws. There is no other way.

The story here is very similar to that of Naaman, captain of the guard of the King of Syria, as told in II Kings chapter 5. Naaman wanted to be cured of his leprosy and he had faith in the God of Israel. The prophet of the Lord (at God's own instructions) had told Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan river and he would be clean.

Naaman went away in a rage! This was not good enough for him! He wanted something to "do"! But his servant reasoned with him, saying,

If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? (II Kings 5:13)

From the very beginning, God has clearly and unequivocally lighted the way for all those who would enter His kingdom - understand and obey the laws of that kingdom, and of it's King.

But just like Naaman and the young man in Jesus' own day, God's way is not good enough for us. We want to "believe" our way into the Kingdom of God. We want to "faith" our way into the Kingdom of God. We want to "hope" our way into the Kingdom of God. We want to "bluff" our way into the Kingdom of God, or we want to buy our way into the Kingdom of God. We all look for another way, but there is none.

So ask the question again if you dare, "What must I do to have eternal life?"

And hear Jesus Himself answer the question, "Keep the commandments."

Do you believe Him?

Or are you really just looking for something to "do"?

(For my friend Yolanda, the way is narrow but clearly marked, I hope to see you there!)