The One Command

Do you know the “One Command” which applies for both the human Creation & the Church? It is also the “First” command in the Bible. Of sure, it precedes the famous “Ten Commandments.” This “One Command” even runs through the whole Bible from the beginning to the end. This first and one command was to “be fruitful and to multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Importantly, this command succeeds the verse which says that both Adam and Eve were created in the image of God (v.27).  It is therefore clear that the earth has to be filled not merely with humans but humans in the image of God. 

The aspect of God's image in Adam and Eve is evident in the way they were associated with the Creator God in the Garden of Eden in a personal way. But when sin entered into the lives of Adam & Eve, they ran away from God and the image of God in them became marred. God had then agents like Noah, Abraham and many more through whom He gave and acted upon His promises of restoring and blessing the fallen human beings. He then chose the nation “Israel” as His agent and through the ups and down of her history was telling her and the other nations about a God who can restore nations.

In an appropriate time in history, Jesus, the incarnate God Himself came and discipled a handful to whom He gave the “Great Commission” commanding them to make further disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).  After Jesus ascended to heaven, Holy spirit, the third person of the Trinity came upon the believers of the Saviour-God. Again the commission of the Holy Spirit was the same. The primary purpose in the dwelling of Holy Spirit in a person is to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The members of the early church witnessed the God of the Bible to the then ends of the earth.

Now, it is “we” all who have been restored to the image of God, who are commissioned to carry the gospel. There are many people today who never have heard the “Good News” of the Bible even once in their lives. There are people both in our near and far geographical and cultural contexts whose spiritual images are still marred. They do not know their Creator and Saviour God. The commission is on His church, consisting of people who bear His image to plunge into discipling people and communities in the near and farthest corners of the world. The commission in the first page of the Bible to fill this earth with humans restored to His image, still remains the same. By fulfilling His command we can contribute our share to the great multitudes in Heaven (Revelation 7:9). In heaven, we will be “like Him”, all in the image of God. We will be with Him forever.

The question: Am I obeying the “One Command” of the Bible? What changes have to be made in me, my church to follow this over arching command of the Bible?