JULY 5
HIS FATHER'S WORDS
John 14:24
He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me. (WEB)
Jesus told His disciples that they wouldn't keep His words if they didn't love Him. Over the centuries, Christians have interpreted this statement to mean that we must focus on 'keeping Jesus’ words' to show that we love Him. If we're not careful, our focus can shift to obeying the letter of what Jesus said instead of the Spirit in which He said it.
I see this verse differently as I continue to grow in God’s love for me. Instead of focusing on the 'keeping of Jesus' words as proof that I love Him, I am focusing more on my relationship with Him. The more I realize, the more I am loved fully now... The more I know, the more I am forgiven for all my past, present, and future sins. The more I yield to His fierce love for me ... My response is to love Him back.
What does loving God back look like? Living in love for love is the fulfillment of all His commandments. When we live in love, we won't have to worry about 'trying' to obey His commands, because pleasing Him will come naturally and instinctively. As the psalmist says... "I delight to do Thy will, oh God." Not because we do it to earn 'brownie points,' but because we love Him with all our hearts and want to make Him smile.
Today, I pray that we all truly understand how deeply God already loves and accepts us. The more we hold this truth in our hearts, the more we will live a naturally supernatural life, where we follow His commandments out of pure love for Him. May all legalism, fear, and striving be consumed by the fiery love the Godhead has for us!
1 John 4:16
We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. (WEB)
He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me. (WEB)
Jesus told His disciples that they wouldn't keep His words if they didn't love Him. Over the centuries, Christians have interpreted this statement to mean that we must focus on 'keeping Jesus’ words' to show that we love Him. If we're not careful, our focus can shift to obeying the letter of what Jesus said instead of the Spirit in which He said it.
I see this verse differently as I continue to grow in God’s love for me. Instead of focusing on the 'keeping of Jesus' words as proof that I love Him, I am focusing more on my relationship with Him. The more I realize, the more I am loved fully now... The more I know, the more I am forgiven for all my past, present, and future sins. The more I yield to His fierce love for me ... My response is to love Him back.
What does loving God back look like? Living in love for love is the fulfillment of all His commandments. When we live in love, we won't have to worry about 'trying' to obey His commands, because pleasing Him will come naturally and instinctively. As the psalmist says... "I delight to do Thy will, oh God." Not because we do it to earn 'brownie points,' but because we love Him with all our hearts and want to make Him smile.
Today, I pray that we all truly understand how deeply God already loves and accepts us. The more we hold this truth in our hearts, the more we will live a naturally supernatural life, where we follow His commandments out of pure love for Him. May all legalism, fear, and striving be consumed by the fiery love the Godhead has for us!
1 John 4:16
We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. (WEB)