Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:God's command refers to the directives and instructions given by God to humanity, as recorded in the Bible. These commands encompass moral, ceremonial, and civil laws, and are intended to guide believers in living a life that is pleasing to God. God's commands are seen as expressions of His holy and righteous character, and they serve as a standard for human conduct.
Biblical Foundation:The concept of God's command is rooted in the very beginning of the biblical narrative. In Genesis, God commands Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, saying, "You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die" (
Genesis 2:17). This initial command highlights the importance of obedience to God's word.
The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai, are perhaps the most well-known of God's commands. These are found in
Exodus 20:1-17 and
Deuteronomy 5:6-21. They include directives such as, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (
Exodus 20:3) and "You shall not murder" (
Exodus 20:13). These commandments form the foundation of moral law in Judeo-Christian ethics.
Purpose and Function:God's commands serve several purposes. They reveal God's will and character, showing His holiness, justice, and love. They are designed to lead believers into a deeper relationship with God and with one another. As stated in
Deuteronomy 6:24, "And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always and for our survival, as it is today" .
Furthermore, God's commands act as a mirror, reflecting human sinfulness and the need for a Savior. The Apostle Paul writes, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin" (
Romans 3:20). This awareness points to the necessity of grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus and God's Command:Jesus Christ affirmed the importance of God's commands, summarizing them in the Great Commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (
Matthew 22:37-39). Jesus emphasized that love is the fulfillment of the law, as love for God and others encapsulates the essence of all commandments.
In the New Testament, Jesus also issued new commands, such as the call to make disciples of all nations (
Matthew 28:19-20) and the command to love one another as He has loved us (
John 13:34). These commands highlight the transformative power of the Gospel and the call to live out one's faith in action.
Obedience and Blessing:Obedience to God's commands is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, blessings are often associated with obedience, as seen in
Deuteronomy 28:1-2: "If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the LORD your God" .
In the New Testament, obedience is linked to love for Christ. Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (
John 14:15). This obedience is not a means of earning salvation but a response to the grace and love already received through faith in Christ.
Conclusion:God's commands are central to the life of faith, guiding believers in righteousness and holiness. They reveal God's character, point to the need for redemption, and call for a response of love and obedience. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are enabled to live according to God's commands, reflecting His glory in the world.