[RankingMember]

> Rather than make them automatons that simply do his will he wanted them to love him of their own will the same he loves them. You can understand his first command as "do this because you love me and trust that I have your best interest in mind".

So he doesn't want automatons, but he does want unquestioning loyalty and trust? Is this not simply a distinction without a difference?

If someone we knew in our lives behaved like this with their children, we'd rightfully question what trauma occurred to make them this way. To create and then cast away those he created who did not act as he wished is the behavior of a control freak, not a loving god.

[asenchi]

I don’t think it is so much “unquestioning loyalty and trust” but a loving relationship with the creator of the universe. It is hardly a distinction without difference. The story continues that God came to earth as a man who, while innocent, was brutally murdered, for spreading this message. That doesn’t sound like controlling (nor trauma-induced) behavior to me. Instead it sounds like the ultimate sacrifice for a loved one.

Finally, you missed the part where humans chose to be cast away, the consequences of sin are death.

Either way, I pray this truth is revealed to you and that you are blessed in your day and week.

[RankingMember]

> I don’t think it is so much “unquestioning loyalty and trust” but a loving relationship with the creator of the universe.

A loving relationship with the creator of the universe that's mandatory if you don't want to be cast away to hellfire, correct?

[asenchi]

One way to think about it is that we were created to be in a loving relationship with God. The same way we were created to breathe oxygen. It is designed to be that way. But we're intelligent beings, if someone chooses not to be in your presence, you provide them the dignity to make that choice. But that doesn't mean they remain in the same status as the ones you love. I think we could be honest with ourselves that our loved ones have a different relationship with us than those who choose not to be our friends? Very similar to our relationship with God. And he has done a tremendous amount of work through the ages, through his Son to show you how much he loves you and wants to be in a relationship with you.

Ultimately if someone chooses they do not like God's design and do not want to be in his presence, he honors that, but that means they are setting aside their humanity, and his design for them.