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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