Topical Bible: Life: To Those Who Keep the Commandments

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In the biblical context, life is often portrayed as a divine gift and a blessing that is closely associated with obedience to God's commandments. The Scriptures consistently emphasize that adherence to God's laws is not merely a duty but a pathway to a fulfilled and abundant life.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of life as a reward for obedience is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses presents the Israelites with a choice between life and death, blessing and curse, urging them to choose life by loving the Lord and keeping His commandments. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 states, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. So choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him."

The wisdom literature, particularly the book of Proverbs, also underscores the connection between obedience and life. Proverbs 3:1-2 advises, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life."

The Psalms and the Path of Life

The Psalms frequently reflect on the life-giving nature of God's commandments. Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is a profound meditation on the law of the Lord. In Psalm 119:93 , the psalmist declares, "I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me." This verse highlights the rejuvenating power of God's commandments, suggesting that they are a source of spiritual vitality and renewal.

Prophetic Insights

The prophets also affirm the life-giving potential of obedience. In Ezekiel 18:21 , the prophet conveys God's promise: "But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die." This passage emphasizes repentance and adherence to God's statutes as a means to attain life.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ reiterates the importance of keeping the commandments as a pathway to life. In Matthew 19:17 , Jesus responds to the rich young ruler, "If you want to enter life, keep the commandments." This directive underscores the continuity of the moral law and its role in the believer's journey toward eternal life.

The apostle John further elaborates on this theme in his epistles. In 1 John 2:3-4 , he writes, "By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. If anyone says, 'I know Him,' but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Here, obedience is presented as evidence of a genuine relationship with God, which is intrinsically linked to the promise of eternal life.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The New Testament also introduces the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to keep God's commandments. Romans 8:2 states, "For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death." The Spirit enables believers to live in accordance with God's will, thus experiencing the fullness of life promised to those who obey.

Eternal Life as the Ultimate Reward

Ultimately, the Bible presents eternal life as the ultimate reward for those who keep the commandments. Revelation 22:14 proclaims, "Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates." This imagery of the tree of life hearkens back to the Garden of Eden, symbolizing the restoration of perfect communion with God for those who remain faithful.

In summary, the biblical narrative consistently links life—both temporal and eternal—to the keeping of God's commandments. This theme is woven throughout the Scriptures, from the Pentateuch to the prophetic writings, and finds its fulfillment in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 4:40
You shall keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command you this day, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days on the earth, which the LORD your God gives you, for ever.
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Deuteronomy 22:7
But you shall in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to you; that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days.
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Library

Keeping the Commandments.
... and wear those white robes and sing those sweet songs ... and sitting beneath the tree
of life; but our ... never be realized unless we carefully keep the commandments ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/keeping the commandments.htm

But Can those who are Converted to God Perfectly Keep These ...
... But can those who are converted to God perfectly keep these commandments? No: but
even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of this ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 114 but can those.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 17, "If Thou Wouldest Enter ...
... young man, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments ... And blessed life
there can be none but that ... eternal, where are "good days;" and those not many ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxiv on the words.htm

Tradition
... Thus he was at liberty, both in life and in ... their customs, and cherish hatred against
those who seek ... with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 42 tradition.htm

Abram and the Life of Faith
... He unfolds His purposes to those who keep His commandments ... After the appearance of
God and the promise, we have an outline of the pilgrim's life, as seen in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/abram and the life of.htm

On the Feast of the Twelve Apostles
... he who openly breaks them, or does not keep them, cannot ... It is plain to all that
God hates those who live in ... will speak, as well as I can, of the life of those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxix on the feast.htm

Obey and Abide
... If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love"It is the heavenly Vine unfolding
the mystery of the life He gives. It is to those abiding in Him to ...
/.../murray/the true vine meditations for a month on john 151-16/obey and abide.htm

1 John ii. 3
... we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments ... matter of earnest purpose,
the current of whose whole life sets in this direction; and those to whom ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john ii 3.htm

Keeping the Commandments a Test of Love.
... We labor for those we love, and the love makes the labor ... Bible that, in order to
spend this brief life of ours as we should, we must keep the commandments ...
/.../orr/how to live a holy life/keeping the commandments a test.htm

Introduction
... of the law did not supersede the covenant of promise, but set forth the kind of
life which those who were ... "Of course the people did not keep the law. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/introduction.htm