"Be" and "Do" Commands in the Bible.

There are “Be” commands in the Bible. They are basic or precede the “Do” commands. We “do” out of what we “are.” God “did” out of what He “is.” “God is love,” (I John 4:8 and 16). God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. God loved out of what He is, love.

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45)

Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Man speaks out of what he is. If our hearts are filled with good things they overflow with good things.

The “Be” commands are heart things. Here are a few of the “Be” commands:

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ʻBe holy, because I am holy.ʼ” (I Peter 1:15, 16)

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

If we obey the “Be” commands the “Do” commands are a “piece of cake.”

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