What Are the Commandments of God?

When Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments,” John 14:15, was he speaking of the Ten Commandments and the Old Testaments law?

No He was not!

He was speaking of a new commandment, John 13:34, the commandment of love not law.

If you study the Old Testament law then will know it was impossible for man to fulfill these laws. That is why Jesus came to fulfill the law. That word “fulfill” means to complete it or finish it.

In His sermon on the mount Jesus makes reference to the Old Testament laws then he explains how these laws were fulfilled under His new commandment, John 13:4, “A new commandant I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

In the original Greek the word “commandment” means; to enjoin in an injunction, in other words, to agree to an order from a governing authority.

When you hear the words “an order from a governing authority” this may sound harsh or demanding. You may think of an army or a dictatorship forcing its rule over its people.

But God’s commandments are not forceful or grievous, read 1 John 5:3.

The authority of God is ruled by the power of love. God does not force Himself upon us.

You will hear Christians preaching “obedience.” They describe God as an earthly father, one who will punish you if you don’t obey him. This is not true. Jesus never used the word “obey” when speaking of your relationship with God.

What about the word “obey” used by Peter in Acts 5:32? It reads, “….we are witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey him.”
Here the Greek the word “obey” means to be persuaded or to conform to advice.

Therefore your motivation is to submit not out of fear of punishment but rather by love.

The old image of God setting on His throne waiting to throw down bolts of lightening if you do not obey him is false.

God’s Kingdom and its authority are governed by love. This is why Jesus said, “If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love,” John 15:10.

To know God is to love God.

When I experienced my conversion I was motivated by the love not by fear.

The gospel of Jesus Christ are not words of fear and punishment based upon your obedience but rather the love, joy and peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Steve Hart