Book Reviews
“Living Life In Love With Jesus”
Chapter 2
Obedience Spells Love
Let’s take the love test.
There is only one rule.
John 14:15"If you love me, you will obey what I command.
“You will obey what I command.’
That sounds pretty easy.
What exactly is it that Jesus commands?
Duet 5
1. Don’t worship any other gods but the one God.
2. Don’t make idols of any kind.
3. Don’t misuse the name of God.
4. Keep the Sabbath holy.
5. Honor your mother and father.
6. Do not murder.
7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Do not steal.
9. Do not lie.
10. Do not covet.
(Long for anything that belongs to someone else.)
The list is pretty clear. We’re all thinking, “Okay, I can do that. In fact, I’ve been doing pretty good at it for a long time.”
Besides proving our love to God what are some benefits we get from obeying God.
Proverbs 3:1 & 2 “My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart for they will give you a long and satisfying life.” NLT
One of the benefits of obedience is: A long and satisfying life.
Proverbs 4: 4-6 “Take my words to heart. Follow my instructions and you will live. Learn to be wise and to develop good judgment. Don’t forget or turn away from my words. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her and she will guard you.”
Another benefit: Protection
Proverbs 4:10-13 “My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won’t limp or stumble as you run. Carry out my instructions: don’t forsake them. Guard them, for they will lead you to a fulfilled life.”
Benefits: Long, good life, we will stay on the straight path, we won’t limp or stumble. We will have a fulfilled life.
Proverbs 4: 21 –22 “Don’t lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning.”
Another benefits: Life and radiant health.
When we see of the word “command” what does that invoke in us?
It gives us the “have to” mind set. We don’t see the benefits. We see the cost of obeying. What do we have to give up, sacrifice?
However, these scriptures from Proverbs show us that obedience has something so much more to offer us than what we might have to give up.
Let’s look at that last scripture again.
Proverbs 4: 21 –22 “Don’t lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning.”
How can obeying God give us life and radiant health?
Psalm 119:1-6
We will be happy because we will have the plan for living holy lives. No more guilt and shame, no more compromise.
Psalm 119: 50-56
We will find comfort in obeying God’s Word. It will be the music of our lives, bring us happiness and joy.
Verse 93 agrees with Proverbs 4:22 “I will never forget your commands, for you have used them to restore my joy and health.”
This is the final and ultimate question in our
“Love Test”.
Do you love God enough to love the unlovely, to love the ones that betray you, treat you badly or are unfair to you? Do you love God enough to follow in Jesus footsteps in the path of obedience?
Matthew: 22: 36-40: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " `Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'B 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.'C 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
We say that we love God, but do we? Are we loving the unlovely?
Do we realize that that we have to die to ourselves to be able to be obedient? We are indeed selfish creatures, but as we follow in the steps of Jesus and live each moment to the obedience and will of the Father, we will find all that we think we can only find on our own… peace, joy and fulfillment. All are found as we walk in obedience, declaring our love to the King of Creation.
Begin today to listen to the voice of God and be obedient to what you hear. If you do, you will truly be living out your love for Him.
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"Do you love God enough to love the unlovely, to love the ones that betray you, treat you badly or are unfair to you?" It's so hard and I quite often have to pray concerning that: "Lord, I cannot do this without Your help. I just don't know how." Yes, I love Him enough to let Him change my heart... to love the unlovely.
Proverbs 3:1 & 2 “My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart for they will give you a long and satisfying life.” Your love of the Father shines through.
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