Commanded!

Commanded!

And what this love consists in is this: that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments (His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching). This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love [guided by it and following it]. 2 John 1:6 AMPC

There is something mysterious about the relationship God has with us: it is based on love but there is an underlay of authority and obedience that runs through everything. God's love for me encourages me to love other people; first because God's love flows in and through me and also because God commands it. If it were easy, it won't be a command. If it was a negotiation, I would have an opinion. On this matter, God commands and all who claim sonship have a duty to obey. As hard as this may sound, Christianity is not a negotiation, where you get to deal with God on your own terms.

Love consists of obedience to God's commands. You do not pick and choose the ones you will obey; ALL commands by God become a code of conduct. Love is His command and his commandments are summarized in love. The 2 greatest commandments, as taught by Jesus Himself, are love for God and love for fellow human beings. If you do not have God, it is impossible to have any motivation to love, as God and love are the same.

Note: it is a call to live and walk in line with the commands of God. The confession of my lips must match the profession of my life. How did the world then know to call the apostles 'Christians'? Nobody referred to themselves in that name, but people observed their lives and could see clearly the inpact and influence walking with God could make on a life. When men come in contact with me, what stands out: my networth or the quality of my relationship with God?

And one thing about God that you can trust is His consistency. What he commanded under Adam and Eve is still his commands in our present age. He's consistently faithful and not given to rash decisions. His love was well thought out; it wasn't dependent on my response but on his nature. The problem is that one day soon, I will have to give account of how I related with his commands and instructions. While I still have this life, I must diligently seek out His Word and be careful to obey. That is the secret to a life of impact. His time of favour is here.