If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15
There are at least nineteen verses (NASB) that refer to “keeping My
commandments.” One in Proverbs 3:1 says… My son (or daughter), do not forget my
teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments. God’s commandments are basic to living. The
first four of the Ten Commandments give us direction on how to relate to God…to
honor Him and Him only. The last six Commandments deal with people
relationships—how to responsibly live with others…honoring parents, and
respecting other people. God spells it out plainly…we just need to live by His
plan—His direction—His Commandments. We should put God first…as Jesus taught in
the Sermon on the Mount and not worry about other things…But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things
will be added to you. Matthew 6:33. Additionally, when Jesus was asked which
is the greatest of the commandments, He quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 saying, “AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH
ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL
YOUR STRENGTH.' The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31. The verse
in John 14:15 admonishes me love God first in my life—no selfish desires. Jesus
gave His disciples and us specific instructions to love Him…and keep His
commandments. Love. To be obedient to God is to love—to put others first is to
love. How are you doing with loving others? I’ll admit it is a struggle some
days. As long as I put their needs before my own I know I’m headed in the right
direction.
RSVP: How will you respond to Jesus’ teaching today?
Prayer~ Lord, today
please give me the strength I need to follow Your Commandments, to show my love
for You by putting You first—and loving others with the same compassion that
You would show.
©
2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise
noted.
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