Obedience and Love: Day #18

Love is a foundational need of every human. We need to love and be loved. It is written into our DNA.  But what does love have to do with obedience? Jesus here seems convinced that loving God and obedience to him are intrinsically linked. What does this mean?

So many in the history of God’s people have fought to create a reputation of being “righteous” or “a good person”. Yet to Jesus, obedience is lining up our heart’s desires, habits of mind, and hopes for the future with the work he leads us to do; And doing this out of love for God. It is a difficult thing, but simple enough children can do it. Just look at a child who mimics a parent out of love. This is why Jesus said, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” How are we training our hearts with our actions? In what ways does our disobedience weaken our trust and faithfulness to God?

Father, let our love for your son Jesus direct our actions, refine our desires, and purify and hold fast our hopes. Help us to trust you with how we obey when desires and plans go contrary to what your scripture tells us is your will for our lives. In Christ name we pray. Amen.