“Obedience is doing what God

commanded us to, because of Love.”

Occasionally, my wife and I like to get away and take short road trips to explore. When we go, I enjoy learning about the churches and the religious state of the community. On one trip I noticed online many references to a particular church. When I looked at their website I read about an essential value of the congregation, “A place where love comes first.” Their site featured rainbow colors different places and other words like equality and justice. (Image from fccstjo.org)

The church’s use of the word “love” caused me to stop and think, “What do they mean by love?” And as I viewed other things on their site, I saw additional values like kindness and respect. But as I took it all in, there was something glaringly absent. Where was the value of obedience to God’s Word?

In the end, it led me to wonder if the church believes that people who do good works, stand up for what they believe is right, and are sincere, that God’s grace will cover them and they will have an eternal home in heaven – even if they do not obey.

Is this true?

Days before Jesus’ death, He was spending time with His disciples, preparing them for what was to come, and for the time when He would no longer be with them. He stressed the importance of obedience saying, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments…,” as well as, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me,” and “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word…,” and finally “Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.” (John 14:15,21,23-24) Jesus, the Master Teacher, was emphasizing an essential truth to His disciples – obedience does matter.

But observe the kind of obedience Jesus talked about. It was not mere rule keeping. It was an obedience that springs from a heart of love. Not a romantic love that is just a feeling, but a love that is rational, deliberate and sacrificial, willing to lay down its life, just like Jesus did through the cross.

Many of today’s top musical artists feature songs centered on love between boyfriends and girlfriends. In Christian music circles, artists also sing about love, but it is about God’s love. And on Sunday mornings in America, some pastors will speak to their congregations about love through God’s promises and principles, highlighting that if they are followed, it can lead to a prosperous life. Additionally, there is a movement across the country emphasizing the phrase, “love wins.”

Today, we have a generation of people that have elevated words and feelings, above truth. The true Christian life is rooted in a sacrificial love that is shown in daily obedience to the Word of God, by the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It is a love that is demonstrated through a life of holiness and faithfulness to God.

This is so important. Eternal souls are at stake. Every one of us is heading toward an appointment with God our Creator on Judgment Day. This should instill a healthy fear of God and sense of accountability within each of us. When the Lord Jesus will examine us, are we just going to offer Him words and feelings in defense of ourselves? Jesus predicts this will happen. He once said people will come to Him on that day and cry out, “Lord, Lord’’ and He will reply, ‘Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46)

Obedience is doing what God commanded us to, because of love. And where does this obedience start? It begins by obeying Jesus’ call to repentance, which is turning from what we know is wrong and to God with all our heart. It is there, we enter into a covenant love with our Creator.

A prayer for you - Lord God, help us to go beyond thinking that love for you is merely about words and feelings. Give us understanding that love for our Savior is shown through faithful obedience; always doing what you say no matter the cost. In Jesus’ name. Amen.