This business of “living the gospel” is one of those popular evangelical slogans that, on reflection, turns out to be not very helpful. The gospel is by definition ‘good news.’ It’s an announcement. The gospel is the announcement of what Christ has done for his people.

via Is the Gospel Preached or Lived? « Heidelblog.

But doesn’t the announcement itself involve a new command? Jesus said

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

And Paul wrote:

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Is “the law of Christ” a command he gave or a principle he embodied in his life and an ability he gives? Is there a difference. Jesus bore our burdens so that we are able to bear the burdens of others in Christ. We have command, example, and empowerment, all included in the reconciliation found in Christ’s death for our sins. The announcement involves all.

And the Ten Commandments work similarly, also based not on what we do but on the announcement of what God has done for his people. Thus, the Westminster Larger Catechism,

Q. 101. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?
A. The preface to the Ten Commandments is contained in these words, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Wherein God manifesteth his sovereignty, as being JEHOVAH, the eternal, immutable, and almighty God; having his being in and of himself, and giving being to all his words and works: and that he is a God in covenant, as with Israel of old, so with all his people; who, as he brought them out of their bondage in Egypt, so he delivereth us from our spiritual thraldom; and that therefore we are bound to take him for our God alone, and to keep all his commandments.

Following the Ten Commandments is “living out the good news” of deliverance from Egypt.