“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). How often I have read that text and shuddered at my inability to live up to His commands; and fearful that He was disappointed, angry, or ready to give up on me. But this morning, I realized something new about this text that re-shaped my understanding of God’s nature. This text is embedded in a series of promises.
Consider this, He promises to come again (v.3), to enable us to do greater works than Him (v.12), provide us with what we ask (v. 13, 14), and to send the Holy Spirit to comfort us (v. 16, 17).
It stands to reason that our text is also a promise. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” “I promise” Jesus said, “love me with all of your heart and you will keep my commandments.” How much more effective as Christians we would be if the object of our faith was loving Him first and most rather than trying so hard to obey. If we learn to love….obedience will follow. God give us a revelation of Your true character!
Question: How has your understanding of God’s nature and character been developed?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
For years I thought that God's main objective was to make sure my life was perfect in every way. He has tenderly and graciously brought me to the understanding that sometimes adversity is the best for me, as it has changed,and molded,and conformed me to His will, and His nature. It has brought me to an understanding of, and empathy for other people and their situations. I have been softened and humbled in order to better serve Him,and I will be eternally grateful. Pleasing Him is far better than a perfect life.
ReplyDeleteOver the years I have allowed God's nature and character to be taken for granted within my own life. Knowing that God is full of mercy, knowing that he is Faithful and True, knowing that He loves me, knowing these things I was growing in such a way that I came to expect it as it pertained to my own life. I'm learning to know God's character in such a way that it is a gift. A gift of His doing and not mine. For it is at this time when I know that it is a gift that I will then take on the attitude of gratitude. For when I am grateful for something I am more inclined to remain humble and that is where I want to remain, in complete humility to Him.
ReplyDelete