No. 352 - Surrendering Through Obedience to Christ's Commands

Responding to God's Gift of Salvation

Surrendering Through Obedience to Christ's Commands  

John 14:21

"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."   

Starting Prayer 

Dear Father, as I meditate on today's message, help me to understand the importance of obeying Your commands as a true expression of my love for Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Background 

In John 14, Jesus is comforting His disciples before His departure. He promises the Holy Spirit, who will guide them and help them remember all that He has taught them. Jesus emphasises that true love for Him is shown through obedience to His commands. In verse 21, He makes it clear that those who love Him will keep His commandments and, in return, will be loved by the Father and will experience the presence of Christ in their lives. This verse highlights the connection between love and obedience, which is the focus of today's meditation.

Be Encouraged 

Obedience to Christ's commands is a crucial aspect of living a surrendered life. After receiving salvation, we are called to show our love for Jesus by doing what He has instructed us to do. Just as a child shows love to their parents by obeying them, we show our love to Christ by following His teachings. This obedience is not just about following rules but is a reflection of our genuine love for Him. When we obey Christ, we align ourselves with His will and open our hearts to a deeper relationship with Him.

Consider the example of a gardener who diligently follows the instructions for caring for a plant. By doing so, the plant thrives and blossoms, reflecting the gardener's care and dedication. Similarly, when we obey Christ's commands, our lives bear the fruits of the Spirit, showing the world that we belong to Him. Obedience brings us closer to God and allows us to experience His love in a profound way. It is through obedience that Christ manifests Himself to us, as promised in today's scripture.

Application 

Obeying Christ's commands is essential for every believer who wants to deepen their relationship with Him. As we follow His teachings, we grow in our faith and experience His presence in our lives. 1 John 5:3 reminds us that "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." Similarly, James 1:22 encourages us to "be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Obedience is a true expression of our love and commitment to Christ.

Invitation 

If you have not yet committed your life to Christ, I invite you to visit a nearby church of Christ to learn more about the steps you need to take. Through faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance from sin (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31), and baptism for the forgiveness of all past sins and your salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38), you will receive the gift of salvation. The Lord will add you to His church, where you will continue to grow in faith and learn more about God’s will (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:47). Obeying Christ's commands is not just about following rules; it is about showing your love for Him and experiencing His presence in your life. Be encouraged to start this journey today, and share this message with others so they too can experience the joy of obedience to Christ.

Concluding Prayer 

Lord, I thank You for the insight into the importance of obedience to Your commands as an expression of my love for You. Help me to live a life that reflects this truth daily. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

May the Lord bless your day.

Theodore J. Quist 

Evangelist 

Church of Christ 

Abokobi - Accra 

Ghana


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