Then He (Jesus) said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Luke 12:15
In today’s passage, Jesus tells us to be on guard against every form of greed. Coveting certainly parallels greed in that it is a desire for things that others possess. Even when we have an abundance of possessions; our lives are not defined by those things. That is a statement that we should all take into account as we make decision for our lives. Jesus reminds us of the tragedy of someone having everything in this life yet forfeiting his very soul:
For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?
Luke 9:25
The answer to Jesus’ rhetorical question is simple. What does it profit us to be materially wealthy yet be spiritual bankrupt? The answer: absolutely nothing! Regardless of our lifestyle in this life, our eternity is predicated on whether or not we know Jesus.
Obedience to the commandments brings blessings and a spiritually prosperous life. But the commandments are not able to save us in that we would have to keep them all without stumbling at any point…something none of us have done (James 2:10). So we need a Savior, someone who has fulfilled the demands of the Law so that we would be made right with God on the basis of faith. Well, we have such a Savior and His name is Jesus!
As we conclude our look at the Ten Commandments, let’s keep in mind three important truths regarding the Law:
- The Law was given to increase our transgressions
The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more…
Romans 5:20
The Law actually makes us aware of how far we have strayed from God’s ways. Just a cursory look at our world today and we can see all of the infractions and departures from God’s instructions. It is for this reason that the Law takes on another role.
- The Law acts as a tutor, leading us to Christ
Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:24-26
As we read the Law, we become aware of our inability to ever satisfy its demands. We are fallen and entirely powerless to live up to the perfection that the Law requires. So, the Law acts as a tutor. This tutor leads us to the only solution to our spiritual problem, the finished work of Jesus on the cross. As we receive forgiveness, salvation, and righteousness by faith in Christ, we are no longer under the curse and the weight of the Law. And that takes us to the last truth.
- Salvation is on the basis of faith in Christ, not on works of the Law
…nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
Galatians 2:16
We can now live our lives in spiritual freedom, knowing that our salvation is no longer based on our performance rather it is secured by faith in Jesus. In Galatians 2:16, Paul tells us three times how we are justified before God (by faith in Jesus). He also points out three times how we are not justified (by works of the Law). As believers in Jesus Christ, we are sons and daughters of God and fellow heirs of His eternal kingdom! That is what it means to be a Christian!
Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
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