In the tapestry of Christian faith, three threads intertwine to create a picture of deep spiritual connection: love, obedience, and abiding in Christ. These ... far from being separate, are intrinsically linked, each reinforcing and amplifying the others. As we explore this relationship, we uncover a profound truth about our walk with God and the transformative power of His love.
Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, spoke these words: "If you love Me, keep My commandments." This statement, repeated three times in John 14, emphasizes a crucial aspect of our relationship with God. Love, in its purest form, is not just an emotion but an action. It's a commitment that manifests itself in obedience to God's will.
But what does this obedience look like? It's essential to understand that God isn't calling us to a legalistic checklist of dos and don'ts. Instead, He's inviting us into a heart posture of willingness to listen and follow. This obedience isn't about perfection – it's about progression. It's about walking out our salvation "with fear and trembling," as we grow and mature in our faith.
Central to this journey of love and obedience is the concept of abiding in Christ. Jesus promised that those who love Him and keep His commandments would experience a profound spiritual reality: "We will come to him and make Our home with him." This indwelling presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the essence of abiding. It's a continuous state of remaining in, staying with, and drawing life from our connection with God.
The beauty of this abiding relationship is that it's not achieved through our own efforts. It's facilitated by the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus called "another Helper" and "the Spirit of truth." This divine presence leads us into all truth, all reality. It's through the Holy Spirit that we truly know God, hear His voice, obey His will and love as He loves!
As we abide in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, something remarkable happens: the fruit of the Spirit begins to manifest in our lives. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – these aren't characteristics we manufacture through sheer willpower. They're the natural outflow of a life intimately connected to the source of all goodness.
This truth liberates us from the exhausting cycle of trying to be "good enough" for God. Our obedience isn't about earning God's love or securing our salvation – that's already accomplished through faith in Christ alone. Rather, our obedience is a response to the love we've received, a way of aligning our lives with the One who gave everything for us.
The Bible is filled with examples of imperfect but willing individuals whom God used mightily. Consider Jacob, who despite his history of deception, clung to God and became the father of a great nation. Or Rahab, a prostitute whose act of faith not only saved her family but placed her in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Ruth, a cultural outsider, demonstrated faithfulness and was grafted into God's family plan.
Even some of the most prominent biblical figures had significant flaws. Moses was a murderer who fled justice, yet God called him His servant and spoke with him face to face. David committed adultery and orchestrated a murder, yet through repentance, he was called a man after God's own heart. Saul, later known as Paul, persecuted Christians before becoming one of the most influential apostles and writing much of the New Testament.
These stories remind us that God looks at the heart. He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. No matter our past, it's never too late for God to use us in building His kingdom. Our stories aren't finished – there's always another chapter in the works.
Perhaps no story illustrates this better than that of Peter. From his first encounter with Jesus, where he declared himself unworthy, to his bold (yet ultimately unfulfilled) promise of loyalty, to his heartbreaking denial of Christ; Peter's journey was far from perfect. Yet after the resurrection, we see a beautiful picture of restoration.
In John 21, Jesus asks Peter three times, "Do you love me?" With each affirmative response, Jesus commissions Peter to care for His flock. This interaction reveals the heart of God towards us – a heart of forgiveness, restoration, and purpose. It shows us that obedience isn't about perfection but about a willingness to respond to God's love and calling, even after we've fallen short. He never gives up on us.
As we reflect on these truths, we're reminded of Jesus' words: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." This ultimate act of love and obedience on the cross opens the way for us to enter into deep, abiding relationship with God. Jesus no longer calls us servants but friends, inviting us into intimate knowledge of the Father's heart and will.
In light of this incredible love, how do we respond? We're called to love one another as Christ has loved us. This love isn't just warm feelings or kind words – it's sacrificial action. It's obedience to God's commands, not out of duty, but out of a heart overflowing with gratitude and love.
As we journey through life, may we continually ask ourselves: Am I abiding in His love? Am I a channel of His love to others? Are we willing to say, like the prophets of old, "Send me"? When we align our hearts with God's, we discover a profound truth – that in loving Him and obeying His will, we find our true identity and purpose.
Let us then press on, not striving for perfection in our own strength, but yielding to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. As we abide in Christ, may His love flow through us, bringing light and hope to a world in desperate need of God's grace. For in this journey of love, obedience, and abiding, we find not just rules to follow, but a relationship that changes everything.
Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, spoke these words: "If you love Me, keep My commandments." This statement, repeated three times in John 14, emphasizes a crucial aspect of our relationship with God. Love, in its purest form, is not just an emotion but an action. It's a commitment that manifests itself in obedience to God's will.
But what does this obedience look like? It's essential to understand that God isn't calling us to a legalistic checklist of dos and don'ts. Instead, He's inviting us into a heart posture of willingness to listen and follow. This obedience isn't about perfection – it's about progression. It's about walking out our salvation "with fear and trembling," as we grow and mature in our faith.
Central to this journey of love and obedience is the concept of abiding in Christ. Jesus promised that those who love Him and keep His commandments would experience a profound spiritual reality: "We will come to him and make Our home with him." This indwelling presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the essence of abiding. It's a continuous state of remaining in, staying with, and drawing life from our connection with God.
The beauty of this abiding relationship is that it's not achieved through our own efforts. It's facilitated by the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus called "another Helper" and "the Spirit of truth." This divine presence leads us into all truth, all reality. It's through the Holy Spirit that we truly know God, hear His voice, obey His will and love as He loves!
As we abide in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, something remarkable happens: the fruit of the Spirit begins to manifest in our lives. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – these aren't characteristics we manufacture through sheer willpower. They're the natural outflow of a life intimately connected to the source of all goodness.
This truth liberates us from the exhausting cycle of trying to be "good enough" for God. Our obedience isn't about earning God's love or securing our salvation – that's already accomplished through faith in Christ alone. Rather, our obedience is a response to the love we've received, a way of aligning our lives with the One who gave everything for us.
The Bible is filled with examples of imperfect but willing individuals whom God used mightily. Consider Jacob, who despite his history of deception, clung to God and became the father of a great nation. Or Rahab, a prostitute whose act of faith not only saved her family but placed her in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Ruth, a cultural outsider, demonstrated faithfulness and was grafted into God's family plan.
Even some of the most prominent biblical figures had significant flaws. Moses was a murderer who fled justice, yet God called him His servant and spoke with him face to face. David committed adultery and orchestrated a murder, yet through repentance, he was called a man after God's own heart. Saul, later known as Paul, persecuted Christians before becoming one of the most influential apostles and writing much of the New Testament.
These stories remind us that God looks at the heart. He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. No matter our past, it's never too late for God to use us in building His kingdom. Our stories aren't finished – there's always another chapter in the works.
Perhaps no story illustrates this better than that of Peter. From his first encounter with Jesus, where he declared himself unworthy, to his bold (yet ultimately unfulfilled) promise of loyalty, to his heartbreaking denial of Christ; Peter's journey was far from perfect. Yet after the resurrection, we see a beautiful picture of restoration.
In John 21, Jesus asks Peter three times, "Do you love me?" With each affirmative response, Jesus commissions Peter to care for His flock. This interaction reveals the heart of God towards us – a heart of forgiveness, restoration, and purpose. It shows us that obedience isn't about perfection but about a willingness to respond to God's love and calling, even after we've fallen short. He never gives up on us.
As we reflect on these truths, we're reminded of Jesus' words: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." This ultimate act of love and obedience on the cross opens the way for us to enter into deep, abiding relationship with God. Jesus no longer calls us servants but friends, inviting us into intimate knowledge of the Father's heart and will.
In light of this incredible love, how do we respond? We're called to love one another as Christ has loved us. This love isn't just warm feelings or kind words – it's sacrificial action. It's obedience to God's commands, not out of duty, but out of a heart overflowing with gratitude and love.
As we journey through life, may we continually ask ourselves: Am I abiding in His love? Am I a channel of His love to others? Are we willing to say, like the prophets of old, "Send me"? When we align our hearts with God's, we discover a profound truth – that in loving Him and obeying His will, we find our true identity and purpose.
Let us then press on, not striving for perfection in our own strength, but yielding to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. As we abide in Christ, may His love flow through us, bringing light and hope to a world in desperate need of God's grace. For in this journey of love, obedience, and abiding, we find not just rules to follow, but a relationship that changes everything.
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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