A word I generally shy away from using is command. In part because Jesus doesn’t use it all that much. And in greater part because Jesus speaks more about invitation, calling, and the Spirit’s guiding us. That all seems closer to God’s desire than “command”.

But Jesus is clear about following God’s commands. Even if he parses what that really means. And Jesus is clear when he is offering his followers commands.

The most consistent command is to love. About this he does not equivocate. We are to love God and our neighbors as ourselves.

There are different ways we can render this command in the positive. Being generous, encouraging, supportive. But let us remain focused on its fundamental character as command. It isn’t a suggestion. Anything short of it is failure. Intentional or not.

Even if someone else starts it. We are commanded to love.