This is amazing. The Greatest Commandment. Let it sink in: more than anything else, God commands us to be happy. God tells us more than anything else, in different ways, to “praise the Lord,” “do not be afraid,” “rejoice,” and “give thanks” — all of which are commands, in essence, to be happy. And understandably so. But maybe God's most repeated command will surprise you. The combination of “Bible” and “command” usually has some solemn, and sometimes grim, connotations. Do unto others as you’d have them do to you. Before launching into an elaborate theological counter-argument, let’s take a closer look at this point. This bold, happy confidence in God is not only an expression of trusting love in him; it also makes us feel lovingly expansive and encouraging toward others because we’re filled with hope in God. Fifty five times the Bible says look beyond yourself and think of others and love them. Exodus 40:1 11. I John 4:8 says “whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 1:17-18 Lord Jesus, it’s stunning, liberating and timely to know the most repeated command throughout the whole Bible is “ Do not be afraid.” The angels spoke these words to startled shepherds at your birth, and you repeated the command to a devastated Mary on the morning of your resurrection. As human beings, we are often afraid. Both in the New Testament and now. Here thy are: God wants you to be truly, deeply happy. The most repeated command in the Bible will probably surprise you: Be happy. He wants us to remember that no matter what happens, nothing will separate us from his omnipotent love for us in Christ (Romans 8:38–39), that he will work all these things for our good (Romans 8:28), and that he will rescue us from every evil deed and bring us safely into his heavenly kingdom (2 Timothy 4:18). In fact, it’s been said that there are 365 “Fear nots” in the Bible — one “Fear not” for every day of the year! Nov 21, 2017 - The most repeated command in the Bible will probably surprise you: Be happy. Jon Bloom serves as teacher and co-founder of Desiring God. The most repeated command in the Bible is any variation of “do not be afraid”. In this 7-day plan, we explore the story of Gideon and the keys to living a life without fear. Like John Piper says, God is not after the kind of thanks a six-year-old is forced to say to his grandma after getting black socks for Christmas. Our delight-filled praise not only glorifies God and gives him pleasure, but also lovingly points others to the same glory we’re seeing and the same delight we’re feeling — because we always praise (to others) what delights us. Exodus 31:1 9. NOVEMBER 21, 2017The Most Repeated Command in the BibleArticle by Jon BloomStaff writer, desiringGod.orgWhat do you think is the most repeated command in the Bible?It’s not a… Along writing, creating, and finding God in the details, Cristina channels her passions into her work as editor of Crosswalk.com. Once we put these lenses on, we begin to see that this secret code is contained in all of God’s commands, not just the most repeated ones: faith-filled obedience leads us to joy. And that says something about our God. Just happiness, fulfillment, love, and a huge celebration. The Bible is as real-life as it gets. That’s why, for those who discover the secret, “his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). There is a special reason why God has to constantly remind us not to be afraid. The Best Way White Christians Can Respond to Racial Tensions. In keeping them there is a far greater reward than gold: loving, enjoying, admiring, praising, thanking, and rejoicing in God forever (Psalm 16:11). And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Rev. They were given out of love. Not when the sorrow or the darkness finally lifts. The nature of genuine saving faith isn’t mere mental assent, but receiving all that God is for us in Jesus Christ. That doesn’t mean that the most repeated commands are necessarily the most important commands. When we see his grace and trust his wise purposes, loving thankfulness rises toward him and pushes out our negative, sinful emotions and grumbling, replacing them with peace. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright © 2021, Crosswalk.com. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. God tells us more than anything else, in different ways, to “praise the Lord,” “do not be afraid,” “rejoice,” and “give thanks” — all of which are commands, in essence, to be happy. “Fear not!” is the most repeated command in the Bible. If we begin seeing the Word of God as a whole, maybe that isn't so hard to believe. That means a couple of things, if you think about it. What Is 'Sleep Divorce' and Is it Biblical? Let’s examine four oft-repeated commands in Scripture and ask what God really wants from us. Based on above definition, the most repeated phrase with … The most Neglected Command in the Bible; prove all things, 1 Thessalonians 5;21 If the unsaved will heed His command they would undoubtedly become saved Isaiah 1 : 18; Psalms 34:8, John 7:17; 6:37, if Christians would obey it they would not be un certain or sectarian in Spirit things. Exodus 13:1 3. In fact, it’s been said that there are 365 “Fear nots” in the Bible — one “Fear not” for every day of the year! Sometimes, he is explicit in reciting some of the commandments, as he does in Romans 13:9. Even the often controversial Old-Testament commands were never intended to hard us, belittle us, or make our lives joyless or difficult. Maybe even enough to make us burst out into song. The Most Frequent Command in the Bible,Matthew Pryor - Study from the Bible and be encouraged to grow your faith! He repeatedly commands us to be really, truly, deeply happy. (See Psalms 19:7-11 for this incredible Scripture). And if we’re paying careful attention, we’ll recognize that the most repeated commands are means of obeying the most important commandments. Especially in the Old Testament, there is an unavoidable connection with God’s commands with his consequences — some of which appear uncomfortably harsh. God wants us to know the kind of hope that has the power to produce joy in us even in painful places. When God commands us to love him with all we are, or to love others with the same care and concern and grace and compassion and patience with which we love ourselves, he is not commanding us to sacrifice real, lasting, true, satisfying happiness. When you think through the “do’s and don’ts” of the Bible, I’m guessing one or more of the following come to mind: Do not lie. And forever. Exodus 14:1 4. When God commands us to give thanks, what does he want? The combination of “Bible” and “command” usually has some solemn connotations. We prefer the comfort of the known rather than venture out to the unknown. “Give thanks”. Help From You Guys With Accordance or Logos – What is the most common command in the Bible? It's in there over two hundred times. The most frequently repeated command in Scripture is: Do not be afraid. Mark Wheeler Mark 4:35-41 “The Most Oft Repeated Command” 01/28/2018 Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church God our Father, Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all that is: Thank You for calling us to faith, for planting Your Word in our hearts, and for delivering us from our sin. We’re on a mission to change that. This most repeated verse can be found in: 1. And that is because we always are afraid. All these are certainly Biblical and applicable today. “Rejoice”. As Bloom points out, all of these are commands, in essence, to be happy. Not when circumstances take a turn for the better. Christian citizenship expands far beyond the country on our passport. God says a lot about sin, sorrow, grief, pain, betrayal, failure, fear, horror, and wretchedness. So if someone asked after the most common command in the Bible, your mind would probably immediately jump to some serious “do nots”, “shall nots”, reprimands, and rules. 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