The wise in heart accept commands (8). Accepting a command starts with agreeing with it, though obedience does not always require accord. Accepting a command continues with believing it, though obedience does not always require faith. Accepting a command is finalized by putting it into practice, the part that is a must. Yet God is not pleased unless we accept, believe, and put it into practice.
“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Though some say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” (James 2:17-18)
When Jesus washed his disciple’s feet at the last supper on the night his suffering would start he told them, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34) Jesus was not saying agree and believe. He was saying agree, believe, and put love into practice.
A person standing on a pulpit chattering about love, but not practicing it is a fool who comes to ruin (8). “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:10) “This is how we know what love is: Jesus the Messiah laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 John 3:16)
