Proverbs 19:16. Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die.
Is there any law you can think of that if you disobeyed you would die? There are probably very few laws that, if broken, would kill you immediately. But there are many that run the risk of death, and there are those that, if you were proven guilty, could lead to your execution.
One of the primary purposes of any law system, including God’s laws in the Bible, is to keep us from harm and to give us a better life. Rules keep us safe and sound. They protect life and promote good living. Like a speed limit, or other driving laws. These exist so that we don’t all drive around crashing into things or other drivers. They prevent chaos on the roads, and thus they prevent death. Truly, in many instances, to keep the commandment is to keep your life.
But there may be more to this proverb than meets the eye. More than just a simple warning to obey the laws of God and man in order to be physically safe. Why do I say this? Because our proverb doesn’t say laws (plural), it says law (singular). Whoever keeps THE commandment keeps his life.
When Jesus walked the Earth people asked him this question: which of the commandments was the greatest of all? Which was THE ultimate commandment. The one that will save a person’s life and send them into eternal glory? Do you recall Christ’s answer? That’s right, Jesus said that the most important commandment is to love God and to love others, combining the two commandments into THE one commandment. Anyone who obeys this commandment perfectly will have eternal life.
Of course, we all know the problem with this don’t we? No one can love God and love others to perfection. Only one person ever did, and he became our Savior. That’s why as Jesus kept teaching he told us that there is a commandment to be obeyed that comes even BEFORE love of God and love of neighbor.
Believe.
1 John 3:23. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ.
Faith is THE commandment that keeps a person’s life. Faith in Christ alone. Believing into Jesus. You see, we’ll never perfectly love, but we can trust in the One who did – Jesus Christ. And when we do, we keep our life, as Solomon said. Have you trusted in Jesus alone to save you from your disobedience? Have you trusted in his keeping of God’s commandment, rather than your own? I pray that you have.
If you have, then you are in Christ by faith. Keep trusting him. The ONE commandment is not a one and done commandment. We must keep on believing. Keep trusting. Keep turning in faith to Jesus. And as we do, his very own love for God and neighbor will grow in our hearts.
You: Are you trusting in Christ alone for your salvation?
You in Christ: How does trusting in Christ for forgiveness and salvation empower us to also love God and others?
Christ in you: What daily habit can you put in place that will refocus your faith in Christ?
Pray: Jesus, I believe in you, and your saving work for me on the cross. I trust in your obedience, not my own. Save me! Amen.
To Live is Christ 