LOVE & OBEY
07th Jun 2017
I came to faith in God because I desperately needed a Father who loved me, but who “in love” would father me - teach me - discipline me. So when I heard that Jesus had made a way for me to come to God by the work He did on Calvary, I came, just as I was and found acceptance, mercy, intimate care and love.
I was very young, but I had an understanding that this relationship was extremely precious, and in order to maintain it, I needed to be obedient to all the Father prompted me to do. If He required me to forgive, then I needed to obey, if I wanted to maintain the intimacy I had experienced.
His presence was a reality, His peace priceless, His approval life giving, His rebuke an opportunity to see change in my life. This change was effected by yielding to what He asked and desired, not by self effort, but rather greater dependency.
In the Message, John 14:15 says, “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.” and verse 21 “The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.” verse 23 “If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him.”
God’s accepting love is wonderful, He will not leave us abandoned or bereft, upset or distraught, but love and obedience go hand in hand, you simply can’t experience one without the other.
Years ago I met a lady who expressed her love for God in very emotional terms; as I observed her I began to feel as if she loved God in a way that I was missing out, and became a little insecure, until I came back to John chapter 14 and realised obedience is the test of love. Emotional feelings can soon change, but steady obedience to God’s written and spoken word creates a bedrock of relationship that no storm can destroy.
You have the priceless gift of the Father’s love and acceptance, keep that relationship strong by obeying every prompting of His Spirit and revel in your relationship with the Trinity.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
