Abiding in the Vineنموونە

Abiding Through Obedience

The concept of obedience has become shrouded with a connotation of negativity. When we think of obedience, we usually infer a feeling of doing a task apart from a desire or longing. We associate obedience with obligation rather than fulfillment. But when Jesus walked on the earth, he carried out a very different lifestyle of obedience. Jesus’ life demonstrates what obedience to our heavenly Father is meant to look like. Obedience to God is choosing to live a lifestyle of love and devotion to our God, who has loved us completely.

Jesus says in John 15:9–10 ESV, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” Too often, we miss the heart of God when he calls us to obedience. Jesus illustrates here that he lived his life reciprocating the love his Father showed him. He lived in obedience to God out of the wealth of relationship he had, not out of obligation. And Jesus simply asks us to do the same. He invites us into the process of receiving and giving love as the foundation of our life, that we might abide in the depth of relationship with our heavenly Father as he did.

In Luke 10:27 ESV, Jesus states the greatest commandments, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” How incredible is the heart of our God that he doesn’t call us to a lifestyle of obligation or undesired sacrifice, but a lifestyle in which we reciprocate the vast love we’ve been shown in Christ to all the earth. God doesn’t merely set rules before you, but relationship as the goal. He’s after your heart totally and completely.

In a world wrapped up in a self-seeking, self-satisfying agenda, God sets us free to step outside the burden of ourselves and frees us to live for others. In a world wrought with the weight of pride, God pours out his unceasing, selfless love, which has the power to transform us into children who abide in our heavenly Father. If we will choose to abide in God’s commandments and love wholeheartedly, we will experience a satisfaction unknown to those with the attitude of selfishness and pride. We will experience the abundant life that only those who abide in God can obtain.

So, abide in God’s commandments today. Choose to live a lifestyle of wholehearted love of God and others. Choose to live in obedience to God in response to his amazing love. And discover the power, purpose, and freedom that comes from ministering to others with the very love you’ve been shown in Christ.

Reflection & Prayer:

• Where have you viewed obedience as duty rather than love?
• How might you let God’s love fuel your obedience today?
• Who around you needs to experience the love of God through you?

Prayer:
Father, thank you that obedience is rooted in love, not obligation. Help me to receive your love so deeply that obeying your word flows naturally. Teach me to love you and others wholeheartedly as I abide in you. In Jesus’s name, Amen.