The Commandment Gives Life

“He who keeps the commandments preserves his life.” Proverbs 19:16. This is something for everyone to take to heart—every one who wants to live forever. Life is a consequence of the commandments. He commanded, and it was. If we want to lay hold of eternal life, we must lay hold of every opportunity that is given to us to keep His commandments. They reach very far (Psalm 119:96), but they are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3. A man asked Jesus what good thing he should do to gain eternal life. He received the answer that he had to keep the commandments. In this manner we also lay hold of eternal life and have it abiding in us. The commandment must be kept blameless and pure until it has accomplished its purpose—which is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Every­one who keeps God’s commandments receives such blessed fruits. When we, through faith, have received peace with God through the forgiveness of sins, we can begin to keep the commandments so that the new creation in us can be kept alive. The commandments produce life, but they have to be kept diligently until the very end so we can lay hold of the life which they produce, which is love. Then we have gold that is refined in the fire; it stands the test on the day of trial—the day that will be revealed by fire. Nevertheless, all those who are slothful and superficial do not keep His commandments. Therefore they will also lose their life. If we are fervent in our spirit, serving the Lord with joy, we know that we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22. Let us not deceive ourselves, but keep His commandments, because they are everlasting life. John 12:50.