Love in Action: The Power of Obedience
In our journey of faith, I believe that we will encounter three fundamental questions from God - about our relationship with Him: Do you know Me? Do you hear Me? Do you love Me? These questions, invite us into a progressive understanding of our connection with the Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Knowing God is the first step. It's not just about acknowledging His existence, but about developing an intimate relationship. The Greek word "Ginosko" describes this kind of knowing - it's personal, close, and experiential. Like a shepherd who knows each of his sheep by name, God knows us individually and intimately. He's not a distant relative or a mere acquaintance; He desires to be our Lord, our Shepherd, our closest Friend.
Once we know God, we begin to recognize His voice. John 10:27 beautifully illustrates this truth: "The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me." Hearing God's voice isn't just about perceiving the sound; it's about understanding His words and their meaning. It's about attuning our hearts to His guidance and wisdom.
But knowing and hearing are just the beginning. The ultimate question is: Do you love Me? And here's where we encounter a profound truth - love is demonstrated through obedience. As Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, obey my commandments." This is where the rubber meets the road in our faith journey.
Obedience is the active ingredient of abiding in God's love. It's not about blind submission or fear-driven compliance. Rather, it's a love-motivated response to God's guidance. When we truly love God, we naturally want to align our will with His. We begin to ask, "What can I do?" or "God, what are You showing me to do?" Our trust in the Shepherd leads us to follow His voice, even when the path seems unclear.
This obedience isn't forced - God always asks, never demands. Remember Isaiah's response when God asked, "Who will go for us?" Isaiah, out of love and obedience, replied, "Send me!" This willingness to act on God's word is where our faith becomes tangible and transformative.
Jesus Himself modeled this obedience perfectly. He said in John 14:31, "I do exactly as the Father has commanded Me [and act in full agreement with Him]." His obedience wasn't out of obligation, but out of love for the Father and desire to reveal that love to the world.
In John 15, Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and branches to further illustrate this concept of abiding and obedience. As branches, we don't produce fruit through our own effort. Instead, we remain connected to the vine (Christ), allowing His life to flow through us. This connection - this obedience - is what produces the fruit of love in our lives.
Obedience, then, is a choice. It's an expression of our free will, which is essential for genuine love. God doesn't force us to love or obey Him - forced love isn't love at all. Instead, as Moses declared to the Israelites, God sets before us life and death, blessings and curses. He invites us to choose life, to love Him, to obey His voice, and to cling to Him.
The Hebrew word "Shema" encapsulates this beautifully. It means not just to hear, but to listen attentively, to understand, and to obey by acting. It's what Mary did when she sat at Jesus' feet, listening to His word. It's what James meant when he urged believers to not be - just hearers of the word, but doers also.
Jesus highlighted the importance of the Shema when asked about the greatest commandment. He responded by quoting the "Shema" in Deuteronomy 6:4-5: "Hear ("Shema"), O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." This commandment emphasizes total devotion to God, expressed through loving obedience.
So how do we live out this obedience in our daily lives? It starts with attentiveness - creating space to hear God's voice through prayer, scripture, and reflection. It involves aligning our will with His, even when it's challenging. It means responding to His promptings with a willing heart, saying like young Samuel, "Speak, for your servant hears- (Shema)."
Obedience also extends to how we treat others. Jesus added a second great commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Our love for God should overflow into love for those around us. This love isn't just a feeling; it's active, seeking the best for others, even at personal cost.
As we cultivate a lifestyle of loving obedience, we'll find ourselves drawing closer to God. We'll experience the joy of walking in step with His will, seeing His purposes unfold in and through our lives. Our obedience becomes a powerful testimony to the world of God's transforming love.
Obedience isn't about earning God's love - we already have that. It's about responding to His love, allowing it to shape our choices and actions. It's about trust, surrender, and alignment with the One who knows us best and loves us most.
So today, let's reflect on our own journey of obedience. Are we truly listening for God's voice? Are we willing to follow where He leads? Let's choose to demonstrate our love for God through joyful, wholehearted obedience. As we do, we'll discover the deep fulfillment and abundant life that comes from walking closely with our loving Father.
Amen!
In our journey of faith, I believe that we will encounter three fundamental questions from God - about our relationship with Him: Do you know Me? Do you hear Me? Do you love Me? These questions, invite us into a progressive understanding of our connection with the Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Knowing God is the first step. It's not just about acknowledging His existence, but about developing an intimate relationship. The Greek word "Ginosko" describes this kind of knowing - it's personal, close, and experiential. Like a shepherd who knows each of his sheep by name, God knows us individually and intimately. He's not a distant relative or a mere acquaintance; He desires to be our Lord, our Shepherd, our closest Friend.
Once we know God, we begin to recognize His voice. John 10:27 beautifully illustrates this truth: "The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me." Hearing God's voice isn't just about perceiving the sound; it's about understanding His words and their meaning. It's about attuning our hearts to His guidance and wisdom.
But knowing and hearing are just the beginning. The ultimate question is: Do you love Me? And here's where we encounter a profound truth - love is demonstrated through obedience. As Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, obey my commandments." This is where the rubber meets the road in our faith journey.
Obedience is the active ingredient of abiding in God's love. It's not about blind submission or fear-driven compliance. Rather, it's a love-motivated response to God's guidance. When we truly love God, we naturally want to align our will with His. We begin to ask, "What can I do?" or "God, what are You showing me to do?" Our trust in the Shepherd leads us to follow His voice, even when the path seems unclear.
This obedience isn't forced - God always asks, never demands. Remember Isaiah's response when God asked, "Who will go for us?" Isaiah, out of love and obedience, replied, "Send me!" This willingness to act on God's word is where our faith becomes tangible and transformative.
Jesus Himself modeled this obedience perfectly. He said in John 14:31, "I do exactly as the Father has commanded Me [and act in full agreement with Him]." His obedience wasn't out of obligation, but out of love for the Father and desire to reveal that love to the world.
In John 15, Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and branches to further illustrate this concept of abiding and obedience. As branches, we don't produce fruit through our own effort. Instead, we remain connected to the vine (Christ), allowing His life to flow through us. This connection - this obedience - is what produces the fruit of love in our lives.
Obedience, then, is a choice. It's an expression of our free will, which is essential for genuine love. God doesn't force us to love or obey Him - forced love isn't love at all. Instead, as Moses declared to the Israelites, God sets before us life and death, blessings and curses. He invites us to choose life, to love Him, to obey His voice, and to cling to Him.
The Hebrew word "Shema" encapsulates this beautifully. It means not just to hear, but to listen attentively, to understand, and to obey by acting. It's what Mary did when she sat at Jesus' feet, listening to His word. It's what James meant when he urged believers to not be - just hearers of the word, but doers also.
Jesus highlighted the importance of the Shema when asked about the greatest commandment. He responded by quoting the "Shema" in Deuteronomy 6:4-5: "Hear ("Shema"), O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." This commandment emphasizes total devotion to God, expressed through loving obedience.
So how do we live out this obedience in our daily lives? It starts with attentiveness - creating space to hear God's voice through prayer, scripture, and reflection. It involves aligning our will with His, even when it's challenging. It means responding to His promptings with a willing heart, saying like young Samuel, "Speak, for your servant hears- (Shema)."
Obedience also extends to how we treat others. Jesus added a second great commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Our love for God should overflow into love for those around us. This love isn't just a feeling; it's active, seeking the best for others, even at personal cost.
As we cultivate a lifestyle of loving obedience, we'll find ourselves drawing closer to God. We'll experience the joy of walking in step with His will, seeing His purposes unfold in and through our lives. Our obedience becomes a powerful testimony to the world of God's transforming love.
Obedience isn't about earning God's love - we already have that. It's about responding to His love, allowing it to shape our choices and actions. It's about trust, surrender, and alignment with the One who knows us best and loves us most.
So today, let's reflect on our own journey of obedience. Are we truly listening for God's voice? Are we willing to follow where He leads? Let's choose to demonstrate our love for God through joyful, wholehearted obedience. As we do, we'll discover the deep fulfillment and abundant life that comes from walking closely with our loving Father.
Amen!
HOPE Blog ... Pastor Bob DeFelice
Sometimes random - sometimes not - some things I think - measured against scripture.
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
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