Which Ones?

"And someone came  to Him and said, 'Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?'  And He said to him, 'Why are you asking Me about what is good?  There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.'  The he said to Him, 'Which ones?'"  Matthew 19:16-17

You may recognize this passage as part of the famous exchange between Jesus and one who is referred to as the "rich young ruler."  You are no doubt familiar with the fact that when given the ultimate answer to his question, that he needed to give up his earthly belongings and follow Christ, he declined and went away sad.  This is most surely a cautionary tale for a variety of reasons.  If we are more attached to earthly belongings, positions, social status, reputation and even relationships than we are to our Savior and the glories of heaven, we are a most sad and lost people indeed.

What caught my attention within this passage, however, was his second question.  The Lord clearly tells him that he needs to obey the commandments, but he asks, "Which ones?"  When you think about it, it is an astounding question.  The young ruler obviously understood that eternal life was possible and he desired it.  It is also evident that he understood that Jesus was, at minimum, a source of information about it.  Why is it then, when given the answer, he responds in a way that seems to indicate, in his mind, that there was the opportunity to choose which of God's commands to follow in an effort to achieve his objective?  Why would he not understand that they all must be followed?

Beloved, this is a problematic mindset that persists to this day.  Most anyone who believes that God and heaven exist desires to make it their home.  Unfortunately, most are not willing to do what is required to achieve it.  Let me be careful to say that eternal life cannot be earned because it is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9); however, certain qualifications must be met to receive the gift.  One must enter into a committed relationship with the Lord which should inspire obedience and good works.  Many of us willingly obey the commands that suit us and just as willingly reject those that do not.  It is as if we are not willing to submit ourselves to the whole counsel of God, but instead, treat His requirements as multiple choice or optional.  Further, there are religious teachings and organizations built around this very concept.  They embrace and celebrate sinful words, thoughts and deeds as if there is no condemnation for them at all.  In effect, then, there are those conforming the word of God to their own preferences instead of the other way around.

Jesus went on to point out six of the ten commandments, all of which had to do with how others are to be treated.  The young ruler remarked that he had followed the six commands supplied for the entirety of his life.  When Jesus put that to the test by telling him to sacrifice his earthly good for the benefit of his neighbors in need and to follow him, thus storing his treasure in heaven, he proved that he was not keeping the commands at all.  More importantly and tragically, he valued adherence to his own earthly priorities over the simple and specific path to the heaven he said he desired.

It is my prayer that none of us are asking the Lord "which ones" of his commands must we obey.  Let us not "be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect," Romans 12:2.

Increasing in faith,

Lee