Day 3: Obedience From Love

Day 3: Obedience From Love
Scripture — John 14:15 NLT
“If you love me, obey my commandments.”
Also read: John 14:21, John 14:23–24, Ephesians 2:8–10
Some of us hear the word obedience and immediately feel tired.

• Not rebellious. Just tired.
  • Tired of trying harder. Tired of failing again. Tired of wondering if God is disappointed. Tired of feeling like Christianity is mostly pressure.
• But in John 14, Jesus draws obedience back into relationship.
  • He does not say, “If you are afraid of me, keep my commands.”
    He does not say, “If you want to earn my love, keep my commands.”
    He says, “If you love me, obey my commandments.”
• Legalism is trying to make yourself right with God by keeping rules instead of trusting what Jesus has already done. It is obedience to get love. But Jesus invites us into obedience because we have already received love.
• Religion says, “Obey so God will love you.”
  Jesus says, “Because you are loved, obey.”
  • That does not mean obedience is always easy. Sometimes love obeys while our flesh is still screaming. But love gives obedience a new source, a new motive, and a new power.
• Obedience is not dry duty when it flows from love. It becomes love responding to love.

Ask Yourself

• When I hear Jesus say, “If you love me, obey my commandments,” do I hear accusation or invitation?
• Where am I tempted to obey so God will love me, approve of me, bless me, or protect me?

Today’s Decision
Today I will not obey to earn God’s love. I will obey because I have already received God’s love through Jesus.
Prayer
Jesus, forgive me for the times I have turned relationship into rule-keeping. Help me obey You because I love You, not because I am trying to earn what You have already given. Amen.