Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 30, 2014
If you love me, keep my commands. John 14:15
A life motivated by love is foundational to the Christian faith. Hence, what lies behind our faith, our good deeds and hopeful attitude is love for Christ. We laugh, because we love. We serve, because we love. We worship, because we love. We care, because we love. We pray, because we love. We give, because we love. We work, because we love. We share the gospel, because we love. We make disciples, because we love. A life motivated by love for Jesus is a life well lived!
Moreover, love is foundational to obedience and obedience is the outcome of love. Love for God results in obeying God. Thus, Christ commands are very instructional to a loving heart. As our heart is harnessed together with His–we are yoked together in His love (Matthew 11:28-30). We learn to value what He values. For example, we see Jesus minister to someone of a different race, so we seek to minister to someone of a different race. Love is only bound by obedience to Jesus!
“Jesus replied, ‘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 14:23).
Furthermore, loving obedience is not cold and calculated, but rather warm and Spirit led. It is not checking a box on Sunday church attendance orattending to needy souls throughout the week. Anyone can rigidly uphold man’s moralistic code of conduct for a time. But, loving obedience to Jesus is the love of Jesus flowing through our life–giving life. Love is the driver behind works with eternal significance. Christ empowers us to love on His behalf. He is love!Feeble words of love without a life of love for Christ are spurious. A test of love is obedience.
How do we answer Jesus when He asks us, like Peter (John 21:15-19), “Do you love me?” “Do you really love me?” “Do you really, really love me?” We can only say yes, if the fruit of love is evident in our lives. Forgiveness, kindness, compassion, patience and humility all mark a disciple of Jesus branded by love. Love does the hard thing when it is especially hard to do. Love loves the unlovely. Love looks intently into the life of Jesus and seeks to love like Jesus loved. We enjoy our heavenly Father’s love, so others can enjoy His love in us. Love motivates us to obey!
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill me with Your love so I am able to love others like You love.
Related Readings: Joshua 22:5; Psalm 119:47-48; 1 John 2:3-5, 4:8, 19; 2 John 1:6
Post/Tweet today: Love is foundational to obedience and obedience is the outcome of love. #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: Minute with Maxwell- Love: http://bit.ly/1uA9MIQ
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