Love and trust for Jesus are demonstrated through our obedience
Consider the profound example set by Jesus, the one who not only reconciled us with God but also revealed the path to serving our Heavenly Father. He descended to Earth with a singular purpose: to fulfill the divine will of His Father, our God. Jesus displayed unwavering commitment by faithfully following His Father's commandments, and He dwelt in His Father's love through His steadfast obedience (Philippians 2:5-9). Today, our discussion will center on the connection between love and trust, and how they lead to obedience. Let's begin by considering this scripture: '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. Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me (John 14:21, 23-24).
In the scriptures we've just read, Jesus is essentially communicating that when we authentically love Him and follow His teachings, we receive love from both Jesus and the Father. Most importantly, we demonstrate our love through obedience to His commandments. This obedience fosters a deep connection with God, enabling Jesus and the Father to reside within the heart of the one who loves and obeys. Conversely, those who lack love for Jesus do not uphold His teachings, revealing that His teachings originate from the Father who sent Him.
Let's pause and reflect on Jesus' statement: 'If you love me, you will keep my commandments.' What does Jesus mean by this? He is conveying that if you genuinely love Him, you will faithfully follow His teachings and instructions. It's important to note that these commandments are not solely His but are from God, the One who sent Him, as outlined in John 14:24.
Our relationship with God is frequently likened to a marriage in the scriptures, and just as in earthly marriages, love and trust are of paramount importance. Let's briefly explore these concepts.
Love is a profound and multifaceted emotion that encompasses affection, compassion, and attachment, and often endures without conditions. Trust, conversely, is the confidence in the honesty and reliability of individuals, institutions, or situations.
Now, let's draw a parallel to marriage. The foundation for a successful marriage, whether in the earthly or in our relationship with God, is firmly grounded in love and trust. These essential elements require care and cultivation, much like tending to a garden, in order to nurture a strong and enduring connection with God.
In a healthy earthly marriage, individuals invest time in getting to know each other, respecting each other's preferences, and setting boundaries that foster a joyful and harmonious relationship. These very principles also apply to our relationship with God. It's a straightforward concept: We enter into a covenant with God, where He clearly communicates His rules, the rewards for obedience, and the consequences for disobedience, all without manipulation. Ultimately, we reap the benefits of this sacred and divine connection.
When you genuinely love Jesus, His life becomes intertwined with yours. You cease to live solely for yourself and instead live in accordance with His teachings and commandments, making obedience to His divine guidance the bedrock of your existence with the help of the Holy Spirit.
When this becomes a reality, it is a promise from Jesus: "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you" (John 14:15-17). Additionally, Jesus assures that the Holy Spirit, the Helper, whom the Father will send in His name, will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that He said (John 14:26).
Jesus continued by saying, 'If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples (John 15:7-8). As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love (John 15:9-10). Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me (John 15:7-8).
This passage is about staying close to Jesus, like branches to a vine. Just as a branch needs the vine to bear fruit, we need Jesus for spiritual growth and to be effective. Without Jesus, we can't achieve lasting value. If we disconnect from Him, we might feel spiritually distant. Staying connected to Jesus and following His teachings helps us pray effectively and see our desires fulfilled. This intimacy with Jesus glorifies God, yielding abundant spiritual fruit and displaying genuine discipleship. Jesus also emphasizes His love, encouraging believers to stay in His love, mirroring the love shared between the Son and the Father.
The question frequently emerges: Is our salvation determined by our faith rather than our own deeds or efforts to lead a righteous life? Essentially, our salvation hinges on our faith in Jesus, as our own righteousness appears as mere filth in the eyes of God (Isaiah 64:6). He perceives us solely through the righteousness of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). However, what purpose, then, does obeying His commandments serve?
The answer to the question lies in the combination of faith and works. Let's explore this in the scriptures. In James 2:14-17, it says, 'What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.'
James elaborates on the importance of faith coupled with action. Continuing to James 2:18-19, it says, 'But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.' James emphasizes that faith alone is insufficient.
Now, let's read verses 20-26, 'You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.'
Romans 3:20-24 highlights that no one can be justified by following the law alone. Instead, righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ, available to all who believe. It underscores that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory but can be justified freely by His grace through faith in Christ's redemption. The scripture further affirms, 'What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! (Romans 6:15). Then Paul explained in Romans 6:15-20 the message that believers, who are under grace rather than the law, should not misuse their freedom to indulge in sin. Instead, they should offer themselves as servants of righteousness and live in obedience to God. It highlights the idea that sin no longer has dominion over those who are under God's grace, but they are now free to live in holiness and serve God. And He finalized it In Galatians 2:19-21, the Apostle Paul explains that through faith in Christ, he has died to the law and is now living for God. He emphasizes that salvation is not achieved through observing the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, who gave His life for humanity. Paul underscores that if righteousness could be obtained through the law, then Christ's death would be in vain.
In simpler terms, when you submit to God and genuinely desire to do His will, the Holy Spirit, your helper, guides you in living a righteous life through your faith in Jesus. When you truly love someone, you naturally want to please them, and with the Holy Spirit's help, you can do more than you could on your own. Love and trust in God empower you to obey Him willingly.
I strongly encourage you to invest the time in getting to know your God. As you deepen your knowledge of Him, you'll find it impossible not to develop a profound love for Him and a deep trust in His ways.
Cultivating a prayer life is of paramount importance for your spiritual journey, particularly in a fast-paced society where allocating exclusive time for prayer can be challenging. The solution is clear: "Simply Prayer for Our Daily Journey," a scripture-enriched prayer book designed for all aspects of life. Additionally, pair it with a Faith-building scripture book to assist you in persevering through the waiting time on God’s promises and strengthening your faith. However, it's essential to note that this prayer book doesn't replace genuine, quality time with God; you must spend dedicated time with Him.
