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(John 14:15) Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
SERIES 7: WALKING WITH JESUS - “How do I now live because I belong to Christ?” 9. Obedience with Joy (Love for Jesus changes duty into delight).
Following Jesus means learning that obedience isn't meant to feel like a burden we reluctantly carry. When we truly love Christ, obedience becomes an expression of that love.
Notice the order. Jesus doesn't say, “Keep My commandments so that you might learn to love Me.” He says, “If you love Me… you will keep my commandments.”
Love comes first.
When we first become Christians, obedience can sometimes feel difficult. We know what God asks of us, but our old nature pulls in another direction. We may obey because we know we should, even when our hearts aren't particularly willing. But as our relationship with Jesus deepens, something begins to change.
We don't simply obey because we have to. We begin to obey because we want to.
A child who loves his father doesn't experience every request as an obligation. He wants to please him. In the same way, Christian obedience is not about trying to earn God's love. We obey because we have already received it.
Jesus Himself said, “Whoever has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me.” (John 14:21)
That alone must change the way we look at obedience.
Forgiving someone who has hurt us may still be difficult—but we do it because Jesus has forgiven us.
Serving someone who cannot repay us may be inconvenient—but we do it because Jesus served us.
Turning away from something we know is wrong may be painful—but we do it because we love the One who has called us to something better.
Obedience is no longer simply about following rules. It becomes a response of the heart.
There will still be times when obedience is costly. Jesus never promised that following Him would always be easy. But as our love for Christ grows, even difficult obedience can become an act of worship.
The question is therefore not simply: “What does God want me to do?”
It is: “Because I love Jesus, how can I please Him today?”
That is when duty begins to become delight.
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Let us pray, "Heavenly Father, like the song: Help me to see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly, day by day ..." Amen!
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