"And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Luke. 10:25.
Sometimes some so-called Christians try to experience the benefits of salvation without doing what was required to access these benefits. As an onlooker, it can be frustrating watching a person attempt to receive what isn’t theirs when they are unwilling to do what it takes to get the blessing. In the book of Luke. 10. Jesus has an encounter with a lawyer who asks a question many ask: “what shall I do to inherit eternal life”(v.25). This question is really about the benefits a life with God offers. Eternal life is not only about the greater reward that is to come after physical death, but also a level of our experience with God in this life.
Jesus, in typical fashion, replies with a question to get this man thinking about what he already knows. He asks him about the law of God and what God requires. The lawyer was able to respond with the correct answer, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.” Having the right answer, however, does not necessarily guarantee access to the benefits. In the case of this lawyer, he lacked sincerity, humility and obedience because he was unwilling to honestly seek a life with God.
Jesus’ answer gives us insight into who received the benefits of eternal life. In order to experience the blessing of eternal life, it requires obedience to God’s commandment of love. This love must be expressed first and foremost to God, learning to love Him with everything we possess: our heart, soul, strength, and mind. It is a whole body, whole spirit, whole life kind of love. And because of that level of love aimed towards our heavenly Father, the overflow will result in love being poured out to those neighbours around us. Loving people well means making the conscious choice to put their needs above our own, to be compassionate and to seek their well-being. These two commands summarised the whole essence of Old Testament law and, when fulfilled, led to the benefits of eternal life.
FURTHER READING:
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." Matt. 22:37.
"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Matt. 22:39.
DECLARATION:
Dear Abba Father, thank You for the dawn of a new day. For all your mercy and grace, Father, I bless You for the privilege of salvation. I ask, Lord, that You help me to love You with all my heart, my soul and my strength. Help me to love my neighbours as myself, help me to walk worthy of Your purpose for my life, take away from me carnality and anything that hinder life in the spirit, I trust You to make out of me all you have designed me to be in Jesus name, amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Titus. 1:1-16.
Titus. 2:1-15.
Titus. 3:1-15.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
"Stop Cursing The Darkness Either Be The Light Or Be The Mirror That Reflects The Light.”
