"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Hebrews 10:26.
"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:20
“And, behold, one came and said unto him, ‘Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?’ And he said unto him, ‘Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He saith unto him, ‘Which?’ Jesus said, ‘Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ The young man saith unto him, ‘All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?’ Jesus said unto him, ‘If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.’ But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, ‘Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.’ When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, ‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.’ Then answered Peter and said unto him, ‘Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?’ And Jesus said unto them, ‘Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.’” [St. Matthew 19:16-30]
The words of Our Lord clearly reveal that actions are integral to the inheritance of eternal life. The rich young ruler asked Christ a specific and direct question: “What thing must I do to inherit eternal life?” Therefore, if “faith alone” were all that was necessary for salvation, then Christ would certainly have responded, “You need only believe in Me.” But we see that in order for faith to be real, it must be accompanied by works.
And the point is made even clearer with St. Peter’s question, emphasizing the righteous acts of the disciples: “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” Our Lord answered:
“Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
Thus, there can be no question about the integration of faith and works. We are not saved by “faith alone.” We are not saved by making a momentary “decision for Christ.” We are not saved by responding to an “altar call” or by “accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.” Mere belief is not sufficient; for as St. James says, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe – and tremble!” [St. James 2:19] And as St. Maximus the Confessor said, “Belief without action is the theology of demons.”
Jesus was responding to two things from the rich man. He said if he wanted "life" (eternal?) to keep the commandments. If he wanted "perfect" (life) to give his material possessions to the poor and follow him. The rich man violated Jesus second commandment, for he loved his possessions more than his neighbor.
Jesus chose the twelve to teach the Jews. Matthew is the strongest Gospel for the Jews. They followed truth as coming from someone in their linage, and Matthew provided it. If linage was so important, why didn't John and Mark provide it?
Matthew (or Jesus) wouldn't just come out and say the Torah was wrong, and it wasn't. But Jesus was trying to make the Jews see that what mattered was the spirit, the love in HIS commandments was spirit.
Mark:
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
35 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?
36
For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
38 And he said unto them in his doctrine,
Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39
And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
Jesus gave two commandments to follow. These cover the Ten spiritually.
Matthew:
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
So there are two commandments, by Jesus own words. And Paul agrees:
Romans:
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another:
for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Even Paul doesn't acknowledge days or parents.
The old Law was physical. The new....spiritual.
