Luke 3:11He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
Luke 3:11He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
There are really no "commands" in the NT. It's about heart condition, love, so just handing over a coat or groceries means nothing if given with the wrong motive.
Ezekiel 33 (06-07-2022), FireBrand (06-07-2022), Romans828 (06-07-2022)
It's about the context of the word you are using .. "command". Do you seek to lord it over others by issuing a command?
John 15:12: This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.
So, if you were demanding a coat or demanding that others give a coat, you would run afoul of "loving one another" and simply be lording. I think the left wing of politics likes to do that, just take stuff from others and think that is somehow righteous because they are re-distributing wealth, guns, food, whatever.
Forced giving isn't giving, it's theft.
What word would you prefer to use for things we are told to do in the New Testament?
I do not understand the connection with politics.
"led to do" vs. "commanded to do".
Romans 8:14-15 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
I used politics as an example of how the flesh "gives" by taking away from others using commands.
There are plenty of commands in the New Testament. Call them what you will, they are still to be obeyed by believers. And yes, the heart condition is important. It's the motivation to obey the commands. Obedience to the Word shows forth our belief in the Word. If we believe, we will obey--and cheerfully, not grudgingly.
Love is what turns a "have to, must do, should do and better do"....to a want to.
Do we only have to follow "commands" if we do it with love?