Does God “Command” anything, really?

Does God “command” anything of us, really?

This word is used plenty in Scripture, and yes, it is often tied to God, or Jesus. The most recognized perhaps being that of The Ten Commandments or The Great Commandment. But I question whether our usual thinking of commands and commandments, and what they mean – really line up with the character and nature of God.

We’ve already seen that God is Good, and His intentions toward us are Good. God is Love. Love is who He is. Jesus came to show who the Father, God, is.

Does Love “command” anything? Is it still Loving to “command” someone toward an action or belief or behavior? You could argue that commanding, and giving commandments is activity akin to a tyrant. And God is not a tyrant. If God is a tyrant, then we can never be Free.

Instead, He is a Father, and invites us into His nature of Love, as Free Sons. It is in this pattern that I believe we have seen the “commands” of God through too small a lens. They are less an order, or forced direction – and are more an invitation toward something Good.

The Ten Commandments were very simply the “words” of God to His people. These words were given as advice for godly living. When Jesus came, He fulfilled all of the Law, not only those 10, but the other 603 as well. His “Commandment” was this:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

He said this was the first, and greatest “commandment,” and that to love your neighbor as yourself is like it. He said that everything written in the Law and the Prophets could be summed up in this.

The “Commandments” are summed up in one thing, which is One Person, Jesus, who is Love.

When Jesus speaks of this “command,” the word carries a meaning of “authoritative prescription.” Jesus is, from Love, inviting us to take a prescribed medicine that will heal us of all things. He invites us to Love, Himself and others. He does not force this. We are not made to take this invitation or prescription, despite the authority from which it is offered.

True Love always leaves room to be rejected.

So, sure, God and Jesus “command.” But these are not orders against our will or not for our good. These are prescriptive invitations from Love, for Love – for our Good, and Their Glory.

In this way, They don’t “command” at all. They do something much more beautiful.