IN our last “BB” I shared about God “Loving You Because He Loves You.” This month I feel to present the challenge of our love to God and what that love demands. Love is not some “wishy-washy” feeling that turns a blind eye to our Christian responsibility. This message of encouragement is based on the words of Jesus in John 14:21-14 (TLB):

“The one who obeys Me is the one who loves Me; and because he loves Me, My Father will love him; and I will too, and I will reveal Myself to him.” Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but His other disciple with that name) said to Him, “Sir, why are You going to reveal Yourself only to us disciples and not to the world at large?” Jesus replied, “Because I will only reveal Myself to those who love Me and obey Me. The Father will love them too, and we will come to them and live with them. Anyone who doesn’t obey Me doesn’t love Me. And remember, I am not making up this answer to your question! It is the answer given by the Father Who sent Me.”

What a powerful challenge given here by Jesus. He clearly tells us that true love for Jesus is demonstrated by our obedience to what He says. To those who show their love by their obedience Jesus promises He will reveal Himself to them. He will live with them. Love is a relationship! Love is obedience to Jesus! So much discouragement comes into the life of a Christian when we do not demonstrate our love to Jesus by our obedience. When we walk in disobedience we are walking and doing things in self-effort (which is weakness). We get “worn down” with tiredness and the negative responses from others. We then feel ineffective and fruitless. That is not a nice feeling, nor is it God’s way. Love obeys!

Wherever you are right now, let the powerful love of Jesus minister into your life to lift you into the place of knowing He’s there for you. But also determine that you are going to “seal” that love by a renewed commitment to obeying whatever He tells you. What Jesus says is far more important than what people say! Your obedience to Him is far more important than anything else. And because we love Him, we do not intentionally “despise” or “upset” those we live and work with. Love reaches out to all. But love does have priorities. And the No. 1 priority of our love is to Jesus Christ Himself, which is demonstrated in a commitment to doing whatever He asks us. Think of this: Love demonstrated by obedience brings Jesus much closer to us, with fresh revelations of Who He is and what He is like. The Father is there with Him, as is the ever-abiding eternal Holy Spirit – all have taken up residence inside of us who love Him! One cannot but be greatly encouraged, enthused and strengthened when we are receiving the revelation of Jesus in such a personal way! It all rests on the size of our love. And the size of our love is demonstrated by our obedience. Let us determine to be so in love with Jesus that we are totally committed to whatever He says.                      -  Rodney Francis.

Bible  Readings:  

John 14:15-27; John 15:7-17; Acts 5:29; Deuteronomy 26:16; Joshua 1:8; 1 Samuel 15:22.

Please Pray This Prayer: