Today’s
scripture: Proverbs 3:1-2
When we decide to follow Christ, we begin a wonderful journey in relationship
with Him. We can delight in knowing that He’s with us, every moment of every
day.
But we’re commanded to do something to keep that relationship strong and
growing: We must know the law of the Lord. We must keep His commandments.
God’s Word, the Bible, contains all of God’s words to us as well as His
commandments, both in the Old and New Testaments.
In order to keep this particular requirement to “not forget My law” and to
“keep My commandments,” we need to spend time in God’s Word.
Note that next part of the verse: for the length of days and long life.
This means that this is a life-long requirement. We can’t just read God’s Word
off and on or in one season of our lives. It’s a life-long endeavor as part of
a life-long relationship.
There’s joy in knowing Jesus. It’s an amazing privilege to have a true
relationship with Him. And getting to know Him more and more deeply through the
study of His Word is another gift from Him to us.
Oh, and there’s that last part of the verse: our days and long life will add
peace to us.
Do you spend time remembering God’s law, His Word? Do you strive to keep His
commandments? If you do, thank Him for His Word and His promise of peace. If
you don’t, ask God now to work in you so that you can draw ever closer to Him.
Today's scripture: John 14:18-24
How do you show you love someone? Bring them gifts? Compliment them? Want to be
with them? Say the words?
How do you know someone loves you?
Jesus tells us how He knows we love Him: If we love Him, we will keep His
commandments. What exactly did Jesus command?
Commandments abound throughout the Old Testament. We certainly know the Ten
Commandments: we're to love our God, not have idols, not take His name in vain;
we're not to murder or commit adultery or covet (see Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:1-21). The book of Leviticus is full of commandments, and other Old Testament
books (Joshua, Judges, the prophets) all tell us of God's expectations for His
children.
The New Testament also tells us how we're supposed to behave as children of
God. Letters from Paul, Peter, and John offer a plethora of commandments.
I'm certain Jesus wanted His followers to follow biblical commandments, but what
did He command? He seemed to focus on
those commandments that require love and service. When asked what the greatest
commandment was, He answered clearly and concisely: Love God; love others (Mark12:29-31). When Peter said he loved Jesus, Jesus' said Peter could show love by
caring for others (John 21:15-17). Jesus Himself demonstrated His love by
serving, especially when He washed His disciples' feet. What was His command
then? His disciples were to serve as He did (John 13:14); we who follow Him should serve
this way as well.
So ... Jesus said that whoever loves Him keeps His commandments. This is a
litmus test for us. Do we faithfully keep the Ten Commandments, but malign our
neighbor? Do we keep the letter of the law, but neglect the needs of others?
If we truly love Jesus, we will do as He did. We will love God with all we are,
and we will love those around us. We will serve however we're needed. We will help
the "least of these" (Matthew 25:31-46). We will be the light of
Jesus in a very dark world.
Is that how you love Him?
Today's scripture: 2 John 1:4-6
If you’ve read 1 John (or journeyed through that book with me last month),
these words may sound very familiar. John had a central theme in both books:
truth and love.
God’s word is truth. The gospel is truth. We need to embrace God’s truth and
live according to His commandments.
And we’re to love. Love God and love others.
How do we demonstrate love for God? We “walk
according to His commandments.”
This idea of showing our love for God by following His commandments is so very
important. It was important enough for John to write two letters about it. And
it’s important enough for us to read two letters about it.
I’ve written this before: We cannot say we love God and then disregard His
commandments. It’s mutually exclusive. When we truly love someone, we want to
please him. We want to make him happy. We want to give him the desires of his
heart. Right?
And the desire of God’s heart is that we obey Him. That we serve Him. That we
follow His commandments.
He is Almighty God, and He deserves nothing less than our complete surrender.
Love Him, yes. And demonstrate that love by following Him and all He commands.
Today's scripture: 1 John 3:23-24
John wraps up chapter three with some final admonitions:
* Believe in the name of Jesus Christ.
* Love one another.
* Keep His commandments.
* Abide in Christ.
To be part of God's family, we must believe in the name of Jesus Christ. We
must believe that He came to earth to pay the penalty for our sins. That He
died a horrible, painful death to provide forgiveness for us. That He rose
again and now lives. When we believe in His name, when we accept the gift of
salvation, we are forever sons and daughters of the King of kings.
We are to love one another. Because we are so loved, we can't help but love
others. Because we have been forgiven much, we should be willing to forgive
others.
In order to serve God, we need to keep His commandments. We should keep those
Ten we all know about (no idols, no adultery, no coveting), but we also need to
keep those commandments Jesus and His followers gave (loving others, living at
peace with our brothers and sisters, manifesting the Spirit's truths).
Finally, we have the privilege of actually abiding in Christ because He abides
in us. He is with us always. And because we abide in Him, we can be confident
of many things:
We are loved. So very loved. We are forgiven. We are blessed. We are given
grace. We are given mercy.
God is our refuge. Our stronghold. Our healer. Our rock. Our provider.
Jesus Christ walks alongside us. Carries us when we’re weary.
The Holy Spirit convicts us. Affirms us. Encourages us.
What an amazing God we serve!
