Divine Command refers to the instructions or mandates given by God to humanity, as recorded in the Bible. These commands are seen as expressions of God's will and are foundational to understanding moral and ethical behavior from a biblical perspective. The concept of Divine Command is rooted in the belief that God, as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, possesses ultimate authority and wisdom, and His commands are inherently good and just.

In the Old Testament, Divine Commands are prominently featured in the form of laws and statutes given to the people of Israel. The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, serve as a central example of God's moral directives. These commandments cover aspects of worship, interpersonal relationships, and societal conduct. For instance, Exodus 20:3 states, "You shall have no other gods before Me," emphasizing the exclusivity of worship due to God alone.

The New Testament continues the theme of Divine Command, with Jesus Christ affirming and expanding upon the moral teachings of the Old Testament. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus summarizes the law with the greatest commandments: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Here, love becomes the fulfillment of the law, encapsulating the essence of Divine Command.

Divine Commands are not merely rules to be followed but are intended to guide believers into a life that reflects God's holiness and righteousness. Obedience to these commands is seen as an expression of faith and love towards God. In John 14:15, Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments," linking love for Christ with adherence to His teachings.

Eternal Life

Eternal Life is a central theme in Christian theology, representing the gift of everlasting life with God, granted to believers through faith in Jesus Christ. This concept is rooted in the promise of salvation and the hope of resurrection, as revealed in the Scriptures.

The Bible presents Eternal Life as both a present reality and a future hope. In John 3:16, one of the most well-known verses, Jesus declares, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse underscores the belief that Eternal Life is a gift from God, made possible through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Eternal Life is characterized by a restored relationship with God, free from the consequences of sin and death. In John 17:3, Jesus defines Eternal Life in relational terms: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." This knowledge is not merely intellectual but involves a deep, personal relationship with God through Christ.

The New Testament frequently contrasts Eternal Life with eternal judgment, emphasizing the importance of faith in Christ as the means of obtaining this gift. Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Here, Eternal Life is presented as the antithesis of death, highlighting the transformative power of God's grace.

Believers are encouraged to live in the light of Eternal Life, allowing this hope to shape their values and actions. In 1 John 5:11-12, the apostle writes, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." This passage affirms that Eternal Life is inseparable from a relationship with Jesus Christ, the source of life itself.