11-20-13 “Come And Get It!”
John 14:21 Jesus said,
“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
We all know that the unbelieving world would look at this verse and think that Christians are brainwashed, suckers, slaves, and completely un-free based on one little word in these amazing words from Jesus - “obey.”
Since when is obedience a bad thing? Why is obedience considered restricting? You know, if you sell a bunch of illegal drugs, get in a drunken bar fight, or even get too many speeding tickets you could end up in the slammer. Being in jail is restricting, and I know that a huge population of the American people choose obedience every day over incarceration. Are they just trading one restriction for another? No. Obedience is a good thing.
When Rob was teaching on Sunday he said this about obedience, “Obedience is a comfort to my heart... Doing things God’s way isn’t earning something; it is CONSUMING” something. We are consuming “what he has provided for our strength, survival, belonging, and comfort.”
He used the example of parents providing food at the dinner table, warm beds to sleep in, and clean clothes to wear for their children. All these things are available to the children for their benefit. But a child could certainly refuse to eat dinner, wear clean clothes, or sleep in their own bed couldn’t they? Children don’t have to perform certain tasks to earn food, bedding, and clothes. But they do have to choose to partake in those things.
The things God wants me to do, aka: obeying him, is for me to be able to engage in what he’s providing for me for my benefit. Restricting me is not on his mind. He’s simply inviting me.
Jesus said, “(To) those who accept my commands... I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” That’s like mom saying, “Dinner’s ready; it’s at the table. Come and get it!”
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for being my friend! You are my brother, my example, my redeemer, and you have everything I need. You know everything I need. Thank you for simply showing me how to get what I need. I accept what you say and I love you because you love me and because of all you’ve done so that we could be together now through your Holy Spirit and for forever! I love you and praise you in your name, amen.
John 14:21 Jesus said,
“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
We all know that the unbelieving world would look at this verse and think that Christians are brainwashed, suckers, slaves, and completely un-free based on one little word in these amazing words from Jesus - “obey.”
Since when is obedience a bad thing? Why is obedience considered restricting? You know, if you sell a bunch of illegal drugs, get in a drunken bar fight, or even get too many speeding tickets you could end up in the slammer. Being in jail is restricting, and I know that a huge population of the American people choose obedience every day over incarceration. Are they just trading one restriction for another? No. Obedience is a good thing.
When Rob was teaching on Sunday he said this about obedience, “Obedience is a comfort to my heart... Doing things God’s way isn’t earning something; it is CONSUMING” something. We are consuming “what he has provided for our strength, survival, belonging, and comfort.”
He used the example of parents providing food at the dinner table, warm beds to sleep in, and clean clothes to wear for their children. All these things are available to the children for their benefit. But a child could certainly refuse to eat dinner, wear clean clothes, or sleep in their own bed couldn’t they? Children don’t have to perform certain tasks to earn food, bedding, and clothes. But they do have to choose to partake in those things.
The things God wants me to do, aka: obeying him, is for me to be able to engage in what he’s providing for me for my benefit. Restricting me is not on his mind. He’s simply inviting me.
Jesus said, “(To) those who accept my commands... I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” That’s like mom saying, “Dinner’s ready; it’s at the table. Come and get it!”
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for being my friend! You are my brother, my example, my redeemer, and you have everything I need. You know everything I need. Thank you for simply showing me how to get what I need. I accept what you say and I love you because you love me and because of all you’ve done so that we could be together now through your Holy Spirit and for forever! I love you and praise you in your name, amen.
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