FORSAKING ALLMatthew 19:17–21

Matthew 19:17–18 (AV) — 17 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. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not

commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Matthew 19:19–21 (AV) — 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these

things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, 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.

Matthew 19:17 (AV) — 17 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.

Mark 10:30 (AV) — 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren,

and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

“Commandments” Greek = ἐντολή (entolē)

“precepts,” “orders,” “charges,” or “commands”

John 11:57 (AV) — 57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew

it, that they might take him.

John 12:49 (AV) — 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me

a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

1 John 4:7–12 (AV) — 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that

we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another,

God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Mark 12:28–31 (AV) — 28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is,

Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the

second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other

commandment greater than these.

Isaiah 42:21 (AV) — 21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and

make it honourable.

1 John 4:20 (AV) — 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not

his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

John 14:15 (AV) — If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Matthew 19:18 (AV) — 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not

commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Matthew 19:19 (AV) — 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Each person, as a rational human being, is under the most sacred obligation to obey the letter of the law. The Spirit has been provided to enable all to do this. Those who transgress the law by resting on the first day of the week instead of on the seventh, bear false testimony to the world by precept and example. God would have His people maintain the dignity of His law

by resting on the seventh day, His memorial of creation. {Ms28-1899.13}

God’s blessing was never withheld from his obedient people. The wrath of God was brought upon the Jews

by their disobedience of his law. Many persons contrast the freedom found in Christ with what they regard as the severe requirements of the law of God. Their words and example say to the world, Christ is

so lenient and forgiving that we need not be particular to keep to the strict letter of the law.

They slide away from their allegiance in a loose reckless manner, doing the works of Satan, while professing to love the Lord. Yet Jesus positively

declared in his last conversation with his disciples, that those who love him will keep his commandments. In the Old Testament entire obedience is required in

order to secure blessings, and entire obedience is also required in the New Testament as the conditions of

receiving the approval of God.

Obedience of the divine requirements is the demonstration of our faith, and the test of our love and discipleship. Professing theories, and observing

forms will not answer the requirements of God. The vital principle of love is kept active through obedience. “Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (The Signs of the Times,

January 17, 1878, par. 10)

What solemn words were those that fell from the lips of the divine Teacher, who came to make honorable the law of his Father: “Whosoever shall break one of

these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.” Ministers and people should comprehend the full

significance of these words.

Those who by word or action, or interpretation of Scripture, lessen, or explain away the sacred claims and

dignity of God’s holy law shall have no place in the kingdom of heaven.

Christ would here have us understand that our righteousness must include, not only the observance

of the letter of the law, but also the spirit and principle of it. The letter of the law specifies how we must walk in order to please God; the spirit of the law points to Jesus Christ as the atoning sacrifice, through whose merits the sinner can fulfill the requirements of the law, Christ said, “I and my Father are one.” There is

therefore perfect harmony between the law and the gospel. (Signs of the Times, July 18, 1878, par. 22)

Matthew 19:20 (AV) — 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up:

what lack I yet?

Christ was drawn to this young man. He knew him to be sincere in his assertion. (The Desire of Ages, p. 519).

Matthew 19:21 (AV) — 21 Jesus said unto him, 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.

Galatians 2:21 (AV) — 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then

Christ is dead in vain.

Romans 3:20 (AV) — 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by

the law is the knowledge of sin.

Matthew 19:21 (AV) — 21 Jesus said unto him, 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.

Luke 5:11 (AV) — 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Matthew 10:37–38 (AV) — 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not

worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Luke 9:59–62 (AV) — 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead

bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow

thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking

back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

The End