Tuesday, 6 February 2024
John 14:15-24; 15:10
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments...Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me...If anyone loves me, he will keep my word...Whoever does not love me does not keep my words... If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love; just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love." (vv,14:15, 21, 23, 24; 15:10)
Commitment to God is the natural expression of my love for him!
You'd almost think that Jesus thought we were hard of hearing when you read this passage and see how often he makes this point. He knows how easily we miss it!
Jesus is saying to us that if you are struggling with your obedience to him, you should not look for the solution in your willpower - look for a solution in your love-relationship with Jesus. The whole point of your Christian life is walking close to Jesus, not straining to meet a standard, or following Christian rules, or not doing certain things that you struggle with. Those issues matter, but they are not the heart of the Christian life.
The core of Christianity is for you to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. When that happens, obedience and commitment will not be something you have to force out; they will overflow as the natural result of your love. Jesus is inviting you to love him!
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