Loving Jesus Through Obedience
John 14:21
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Thought:
Jesus made something very clear. True love for Him is not just a feeling or a nice word. It shows up in obedience. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.”
We do not earn the love of God by obeying Him. God loved us first. He sent Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners. But when that love reaches our hearts, it changes us. A heart that truly loves Jesus will want to do what He says and love what and who He loves.
Obedience is not dry or cold. It is a response of love. When we keep His commandments, we are saying, “Jesus, I trust You more than my own ideas. I believe Your ways are better than my ways. I want to please You because I love You.”
Jesus also promises something beautiful here. He says that the one who loves and obeys Him will be loved by the Father, and that He will “manifest” or show Himself to that person. There is a clearer sense of His presence and His truth for the obedient believer. Some want to feel close to Jesus while ignoring His words. But fellowship with Jesus and obedience to Jesus always go together.
Prayer:
Father, in Jesus name, thank You for loving me first. Thank You for sending Jesus to save me. Help me to love Him not only with my lips but with my life. Show me where I am disobeying Your word, and give me grace to repent and obey. I want to know Jesus more deeply. Manifest Yourself to me as I walk in Your truth. In Jesus name, Amen.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Thought:
Jesus made something very clear. True love for Him is not just a feeling or a nice word. It shows up in obedience. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.”
We do not earn the love of God by obeying Him. God loved us first. He sent Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners. But when that love reaches our hearts, it changes us. A heart that truly loves Jesus will want to do what He says and love what and who He loves.
Obedience is not dry or cold. It is a response of love. When we keep His commandments, we are saying, “Jesus, I trust You more than my own ideas. I believe Your ways are better than my ways. I want to please You because I love You.”
Jesus also promises something beautiful here. He says that the one who loves and obeys Him will be loved by the Father, and that He will “manifest” or show Himself to that person. There is a clearer sense of His presence and His truth for the obedient believer. Some want to feel close to Jesus while ignoring His words. But fellowship with Jesus and obedience to Jesus always go together.
Prayer:
Father, in Jesus name, thank You for loving me first. Thank You for sending Jesus to save me. Help me to love Him not only with my lips but with my life. Show me where I am disobeying Your word, and give me grace to repent and obey. I want to know Jesus more deeply. Manifest Yourself to me as I walk in Your truth. In Jesus name, Amen.
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