Command!

Command!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

John 13:34 NIV

Context:

Jesus was on his final days on earth before he went the way of the cross. He had raised 12 men as disciples while he had several others, even though not named. He had taken time to teach them about his coming death, resurrection and kingdom. God had laid out the law; the law in its natural state made us conscious of sin, and though it demanded a lot from us, it did not have the power and it could not supply the strength to obey. That was why the law, good as it was, was not capable of bringing us into the right standing with God. 

If I am still striving to please God by what I do, I am too late. If all I can present to God is the applause and recognition of men of all I do, then I do not yet know God or what he demands of me. Under the law, labour was fine; good works were recognised and rewarded. Under the new dispensation of grace, where are good works? Of what use is zeal without the knowledge of the One who sees and knows all? 

Message and Response:

It was the failings of the law that necessitated a new dispensation. The law had existed for so long yet could not improve man's relationship with God. Sin was the major reproach as God could not look at sin. God needed a new means of approach, and that is what Jesus came to promote. Under this new dispensation, God did not need man to plead good works, but to depend on his finished work. That is why the only thing that is commanded is LOVE. 

It is not first about what I do, but the heart from where the action proceeds. Man can pretend; it is one of the things sin taught us. We can deceive people by outward fervent service, while the heart is far away from God. Again, that is why it is never about what I do but the state of my heart. How is my heart? How is yours? Who controls its focus, direction and application? Who determines what the heart considers as important? 

It is called a command, not a negotiation or consultation. It is a command given by the one we call Lord, Master and Saviour. Unless I claim that I do not accept his authority or I am not his own, then I am free to dispense with the command. The command to love is not new; even as far back as Deuteronomy, God demanded that Israel should love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul and strength. However, this had an extra zing: there is an example to emulate and strength to be able to emulate it right. 

Jesus was not asking for something he did not first do, or what he was not going to provide adequate support and help for. He does not demand of me that which he has not first done himself. That is why he uses himself as the perfect example. His example of love is the perfect one: a Saviour who left all his glory in heaven to die on earth like a common criminal, and for people who still reject him and may reject him to the end of their lives. Yet he does not withdraw or reduce the love he has for us; his love is not subject to the varying seasons, or if we reciprocate. 

In that reality is a final word of warning: if I have received such great grace, would I not think of the consequences of rejecting it? If such a high price was paid to bring me to a new standing in and with God, would it not amount to foolishness for me to walk away from this free gift of love? What do I stand to lose if I embrace it? I am not asked to break an arm of leg, but to love. My heart is the battleground; love is the command, Jesus is the commander and eternal life is the end of all obedience. Now that I know what he commands, what is my response? What is yours? His time of favour is here.