Are we requested to repent, believe and obey or commanded?

My dual point of view answer that some did not care for.

A recent discussion I was involved in where my answer confused and angered some people because my answer is a dual one for this question: Does God request us to repent, obey and believe or does He command it? (paraphrasing) Believe me, my answer did not go down well with some people.

My thoughts on the matter:

Why can’t it be both? Maybe I’m wrong, I don’t know yet, but here is my reasoning.

First, we are not puppets, we have free will to choose to believe, obey and follow. God lets us know exactly what he wants done, and if we do it, it shows our love and commitment to Him and we receive His grace and ultimately Heaven in the end.

But it is still a choice even with it being a command.

We have to make this choice, this is on us to do and sadly some don’t, and that's a simple fact.

When we choose to believe, follow and obey - like really fully follow Him and want to be more Christ-like in our lives, we begin the process of learning and following His commandments. I describe it as a “pull;" we feel pulled to be more Christ-like.

I believe it is both a request directed to us, asked of us, then Him also telling us this is a command that we has placed before all of us.

A request and a demand are two different things but they can go hand in hand with each other. To me, it is ok and makes sense for this topic to have dual understanding and meaning at the same time.

Remember, we are given the commandments to follow; commandments are not forced upon us. It is still a choice; therefore that’s why I believe it is a dual answer.

He is requesting and demanding that we repent and believe at the same time.

© Jane Isley

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