21 Obedience…
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my father, and I too will love them and show myself to them… Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
John 14:21-23
Jesus makes it very clear – love is a verb… a doing word. Love requires action. It is not enough to say, “I love you, Lord” and keep on doing what we have always done. Loving Jesus, loving God, must change our lives. It must lead to a desire to do the things Jesus teaches us to:
1. Shine your light before others so they may see your good deeds and glorify God. (Matthew 5:15-16)
2. Give to the needy without seeking attention. (Matthew 6:1-4)
3. Store up treasures in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-21)
4. Don’t judge others. (Matthew 7:1-2)
The list goes on and on through the four Gospels – so much teaching about how to live a life of love. Obedience is not an option if we are true lovers of God.
Obedience, doing what we are told to do, is not a popular concept in our world. There is so much emphasis on being able to do our own thing, look after number one, have choices, etc. But loving obedience to a loving God is something different and unique. It is like when we do what a loving parent asks of us because we know that they love us. By loving God actively through obedience, we are also guaranteeing his love in return. This is not to say that we didn’t already have his love but there is something even more special about a love returned. When we live in obedience to God, he promises to make his home with us.
Wow, how amazing is that? God living in us, always there, an intimacy found nowhere else. That’s reason enough for me to love and obey…
Prayer: Lord, in this world of “do your own thing”, “Live for yourself”, “Number one first” help me to swim against the tide and to stay obedient to your teachings. I know, Lord, that this will lead to a deeper love and intimacy with you as you live in me.
Amen
Action: Today, right now, ask God to give you one of Jesus’ teachings for you to lovingly obey wherever your day takes you. (If you are struggling to hear from God then choose one of the commands listed above)
Journal your thoughts…
