Invitations are not expectations, they are invitations to participation, to partnership, or to relationship. A command, on the other hand, is an expectation based on an agreement that has already been made to be in a certain kind of relationship. If the relationship is not clearly defined up front, the command may sound like an invitation, when in reality a command is an expectation that the command will be executed, based on relationship.

I give commands to my son because I’m his mom; the Lord gives me commands because I have agreed to be His servant, follower, daughter. I accept or deny invitations from people based on my schedule, availability or desire to do what I was invited into. However, when I get a command from God, I am expected to execute what He has commanded, for it is a command not an invitation. I obey the command because I know I am His daughter, I already agreed to be His servant, and I love following His orders for they are always for our good or the good of someone else.

I have found believers take God’s commands as invitations. He invited us to follow Him, Matthew 4:18-20 “Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” Once we accepted the invitation to follow Him, now based on relationship with Him, He will command us to do things and He expects us to execute whatever He commands.

We need to get this right as believers who have said yes to follow Him, to serve Him, to love Him. The kingdom of God has one King and His name is Jesus. Once we agree He is our king, we now are commanded to do things He expects us to execute for the effectual operation of all in His kingdom. We need to tell people the truth about what following Jesus is all about, not just get them to say a prayer, come to an altar or raise their hand, so our ministry looks successful. The invitation to come follow Me is not an easy decision, for it is an invitation to be in a relationship with a King, who will issue commands He expects us to execute. He is a Father and we are His children who He expects will obey His voice. He is God and we are expected to do what He says, because we said yes to the invitation He extended to us through His Son Jesus. The invitation is only the start of this amazing relationship. He is more amazing than you know, but to discover this you must do what He says.