On more than one occasion, Jesus linked love and obedience.
But, how are they connected?
When I think back to my youth, I can honestly say that my obedience to my parents was largely motivated by fear more than love.
I was afraid of the consequences of disobedience.
I respected my parents as well as the paddle.
Did I always believe that my parents loved me? No.
There were times that they made choices that I didn’t understand and were contrary to my wants, and that led me to conclude and cry out, “You don’t love me anymore!”
Was that true? Of course not!
It was love that motivated them to say ‘No’ because they knew that what I wanted was harmful to me.
I didn’t have the capacity to see that, but they did, and they lovingly protected me even when I had a fit.
If I had rested in their love, I would’ve had no trouble being obedient.
It’s the same with our relationship with God.
In John 15, Jesus calls us to abide in His love.
His love is true and constant. It never changes.
It was proven on the cross. Its power was displayed in the resurrection.
Jesus demonstrated for us what it meant to live in the Father’s love.
He never doubted the Father’s love even on the cross.
His rest in the Father’s love was what got Him through the agony of paying for our sin.
He knew that He was going to the Father, and that He was going to prepare a place for us to come and be with Him.
His intimate knowledge of His Father’s love for Him empowered Him to obedience, even to the point of death on the cross.
Father’s love fueled His soul to obey because He knew it would lead to the fruit of life for us.
Beloved, live in His love.
Rest in His love.
Pass on His love to others.
His love will empower us to obey His commandments and walk in His will, and that, in turn, will lead us to bear much fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control).
Remember, God is always motivated by love for us.
If He says, “no” or “not yet,” He is simply wanting to give us His best.
Wait on and rest in His love this week.
Blessings!
Robyn