What shall we do?

Psalm 25:1-10 / Luke 10:25–37

The Wrong Question

Luke 10:25 “...Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Luke 10:26 “...What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”

Mark 10:17 “...Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Mark 10:19 “You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ””

Jesus points to LAW to reveal their need, AND to answer the better formed question, “Being an heir of eternal life, what must I do?”

John Eliot (a Puritan missionary) in the 17th CE used the 10 Commandments prominently both in his evangelism, and then in discipling

How do I inherit Eternal Life?

How does one inherit anything? Is it not to be born into the right family? Have the right name? Pedigree?

Are not inheritances gifts, rather than things earned?

Other than by birth, it is due to some extravagant grace of the benefactor.

Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

John 3:3 “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.””

Mark 1:15 “..., “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.””

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 10:27-28 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Lee Strobel in The Case for Christ:

Christianity is unique. It’s based on the ‘done’ plan - Jesus has done for us on the cross what we cannot do for ourselves: he has paid the death penalty that we deserve for our rebellion and wrongdoing, so we can become reconciled with God…

So on November 8, 1981, I talked with God in a heartfelt and unedited prayer, admitting and turning from my wrongdoing, and receiving the gift of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus…

There were no lightning bolts, no audible replies, no tingly sensations. I know that some people feel a rush of emotion at such a moment; as for me, however, there was something else that was equally exhilarating: there was the rush of reason.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,”

So, the only DOING on your part is that of receiving, of trusting that Jesus HAS DONE all that is needed, and that He did it for YOU.

What shall we do?

So now, have you been born again? Have you received the free gift offered because of what Jesus DID and WHO He is?

If so, I’d like to remind you what you must do as an heir and recipient of the Kingdom; of Eternal Life.

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Keep the Commandments (Mark 10)

Question 37: Where is the obedience of faith given in summary form?

Answer: A summary form of the obedience of faith is given in the Ten Commandments, which teach to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength and with all our mind in the first 4 commandments, and to love our neighbor as ourselves in the last 6

Love your neighbor

Luke 10:37 “He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.””

What is your state today? Which question do you need answering? How do I inherit eternal life? or What must I do?

When looking to the law does your guilt remain? Are you in need of being born again? Look to the gospel of Jesus and see that He has done all that needs doing, and offers it to all who would come in faith and obedience.

When looking to the law, do you both rejoice that Christ Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are sufficient to erase your guilt, but sense a need; a stirring for action and a desire for assurance? Try to live righteously. Seek as often and as much as possible to love your neighbor, whoever that may be.

We can never hope to gain eternal life by doing anything, but for those who are already born again into the family of God, and thus inherit eternal life, it is in the doing that we find joy, fulfillment, and assurance of this gift of grace. Believe the Gospel. Then follow the Commandments.