Love… Calls Us To Obedience
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain his love. - John 15:12-14
I have seen literally hundreds of people make a prayer of profession as they are accepting Jesus as their Lord and savior. Sadly, I have seen less than ten percent of those professions produce fruit of repentance. Why is that? I think it is because they want the benefits of being in relationship, but they have not learned that relationship calls for commitment. Jesus said, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love (or in relationship with me).”
Being in relationship requires a commitment to the one with whom we are in relationship. A husband will give himself to blessing his wife, just as Christ gave himself for his own bride, the church (Ephesians 5:25). A father will give himself in labor, often at great sacrifice, to provide for his family.
Jesus used the word “commands,” and it is a good word because it tells us that love can sometimes be demanding. Not that love itself makes the demand, but our love commitment to the object of our love demands that we make sacrifices for the one that we love. Love calls us to serve the object of our affection.
My hope for this month of devotions on the subject of love, and a particular focus on loving God, will draw you closer to Christ and call you to a greater commitment to serving the others in your life.
Prayer: Lord, I confess that I often come to you with selfish motives. Grant me the grace to experience your agape love that is focused on others rather than on myself. In Jesus name, amen.
Message: Being in relationship requires a commitment to the one with whom we are in relationship. Jesus said, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain his love.” Loving God and obeying God are twin children of faith.
Affirmation: I am committed to obeying the commands of God revealed through the teachings of Christ.
Reflection: Give some thought to the idea that love must have an object of expression. How do you see yourself expressing love to those around you?
CLICK HERE to get the entire month of devotions in the book, "Love"
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain his love. - John 15:12-14
I have seen literally hundreds of people make a prayer of profession as they are accepting Jesus as their Lord and savior. Sadly, I have seen less than ten percent of those professions produce fruit of repentance. Why is that? I think it is because they want the benefits of being in relationship, but they have not learned that relationship calls for commitment. Jesus said, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love (or in relationship with me).”
Being in relationship requires a commitment to the one with whom we are in relationship. A husband will give himself to blessing his wife, just as Christ gave himself for his own bride, the church (Ephesians 5:25). A father will give himself in labor, often at great sacrifice, to provide for his family.
Jesus used the word “commands,” and it is a good word because it tells us that love can sometimes be demanding. Not that love itself makes the demand, but our love commitment to the object of our love demands that we make sacrifices for the one that we love. Love calls us to serve the object of our affection.
My hope for this month of devotions on the subject of love, and a particular focus on loving God, will draw you closer to Christ and call you to a greater commitment to serving the others in your life.
Prayer: Lord, I confess that I often come to you with selfish motives. Grant me the grace to experience your agape love that is focused on others rather than on myself. In Jesus name, amen.
Message: Being in relationship requires a commitment to the one with whom we are in relationship. Jesus said, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain his love.” Loving God and obeying God are twin children of faith.
Affirmation: I am committed to obeying the commands of God revealed through the teachings of Christ.
Reflection: Give some thought to the idea that love must have an object of expression. How do you see yourself expressing love to those around you?
CLICK HERE to get the entire month of devotions in the book, "Love"
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