Nougat 14

We close our season of reflection on the Ten Commandments. As we do so, I invite us to consider Today’s Holy Nougat

John 14:15, 21 NLT

[15] “If you love me, obey my commandments.

[21] 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.”

In Love, Obey

Sometimes love isn’t easy. Especially when we’re being asked to prove our love. There are those who insist that love can be bought or sold, thus diminishing its value in their relationships. I’m haunted by stories of women like Gisele Pelicot, the French wife who was serial raped by the accomplices of her husband. In love, she trusted him, unaware that she was being drugged by him and given to men to commit sexual acts with her unconscious body.

Self-check

Do you place conditions on love?

Application

One can easily see why some people do not trust love and hesitate in hearing that loving Y’shua comes with conditions.

But, when we live in Christ, we will come to the realisation that the more we know Him, the more we love Him. Upon realizing that Y’shua doesn’t ask for what He isn’t prepared to give in abundance. His demands for love come from a loving sacrifice that seeks our best interest: eternity with Him. This is the sacrificial love that:

– Became human

– Lived obedience to the Ten Commandments

– Was crucified for liberation ideals

– Conquered Death

– Resurrected Himself

– Ascended to Heaven

– Sent God’s Spirit to guide us

That’s some life-affirming kind of love.

Responding with loving obedience not only secures us eternity with Him, it also assures that we experience God’s presence in the now. And since God is Y’shua (see John 14), we are able to experience the Trinity through God’s Spirit living in us.

Obedience gives life to us

Obedience protects us from the enemy

Obedience testifies of our love for the Trinity.

Assignment

In love, let’s obey.

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May all we seek be found in Christ