Jesus Christ says: As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 15, 9 – 11
God’s commandments to us are not meant to be restrictive. Rather, they are liberating! Rather than confine us, they are meant to encourage us to perform good deeds. They are not like a golden cage for a canary.
God has soooo many good ideas and plans for us! All we have to do is to inform ourselves of His Word, the Bible, and ask how we can take this for our own personal truth. Obedience comes from hearing and listening. Without hearing, obedience is impossible. Listening is an intense form of hearing. One listens very carefully, even if God’s voice is at times very quiet. To listen means one can identify God’s voice among many different voices. To listen also means to concentrate for longer periods of silence, until one finally hears something. This takes practice, and the courage to make mistakes. God knows this, and fixes many of our mistakes. He will never plunge us into disaster!
Obeying God is not always easy. We want to make the decisions ourselves. Some people rebel openly, others are more subtle. Some argue that God may be right, but at this point, his wish is just not possible. Others need God to make exceptions for them. Still others argue for time. Later, just not right now! God’s wishes aren’t necessarily openly denied. Instead, these people act as if they really would want to obey, but for whatever reason can’t do so right now.
But we need to remember that the only way to receive God’s blessing is to be obedient toward Him and His Word. If you are always miserable, lack courage, energy, joy and peace, could it be that you are trying to follow your own way, instead of God’s? Or perhaps you only heed those commandments you regard as important. With God there is no compromise: it is all or nothing!
The sum of God’s commandments is that we need to love God and our brother as we love ourselves. How can anyone be against that?
When we obey God, He gives us His blessing. Then we can experience true joy. That is God’s plan for us: Joy!
Thank you Lord Jesus! Your plans for me are so good! Help me to listen to you, and give me the courage to do your Will! I want your blessing in its entirety!
Bible reading today: 2. Corinthians 10, 1-18