Scripture:
John 14:15
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Observation:
Jesus tells the disciples that the key to obedience is love. Loving Him results in obedience.
Application:
For many years I would read this passage and assume Jesus was saying, “prove your love to me by obeying me!” However the longer I follow Jesus the more I understand that He is trying to help us get a very simple concept. Love comes first. I don’t obey my way to loving Jesus. I love my way to obedience. Once I realize that I am loved by God, my life changes. I learn to love Him back and once my love increases, I begin to obey out of love.
A couple things…
-He first loves me. He always goes first. Therefore anything I do is a response.
-Love first. The basis of my whole life is the love that God gives and the love I get to reciprocate.
-Obedience follows. If I find myself in disobedience there is a lack of love. My greatest chance of obedience is acting and behaving from a place of love.
Prayer:
Thank you for loving me first. Thank you for giving me the chance to love back. May my actions be a result of love. Love for you and for others.