When Israel was given the Ten Commandments, they were commanded to obey them.
“He proclaimed his covenant—the Ten Commandments—which he commanded you to keep, and which he wrote on two stone tablets.”
Deuteronomy 4:13 NLT
The arrival of the New Covenant brought a big change to this.
““If you love me, obey my commandments.”
John 14:15 NLT
“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.””
John 14:21 NLT
“Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.”
John 14:23-24 NLT
The old Covenant’s arrangement was a master-slave type of commanded obedience.
The New Covenant’s is a Father-son type of filial obedience. It is willingly given, and driven by love and gratitude – because we now belong. We are children of the heavenly King, and it is natural to be what we now are.