DAY 3: A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO LOVE HIM
Read John 14:23-24.
To know God is to love Him. To love God is to obey Him. These are inseparable truths. Sometimes that truth can get turnaround, though. Instead of “If you love me you will obey me”, it can turn into “If you obey me, then you love me.” That may be true, but not always. Obedience can become legalistic and heartless. We can do things because we’re supposed to without any ounce of love. Maybe we obey because others are looking. Maybe we obey out of thoughtless routine. But God says we are to love Him with all our heart, mind, and strength.
When we speak of a renewed commitment to love God, I refer not to the aspect of serving God – as in “I am committed to being loving toward God”. I am speaking of the idea of wanting to, in a sense, make Him our first love. We love many things, and sometimes those things can knock God out of first position. As you enter a new year, consider where God is in your life. Are there areas where He is not first?
How do we make Him our first love? How do we make ourselves want to obey Him out of love rather than duty? Now comes the interesting part…
After having said obedience doesn’t necessarily equal love, it can, however, help nurture love for God. Sometimes we have to simply obey even though we might drag our heals along the way. Do it enough, though, and our hearts will begin to change as we interact with God daily. What is the difference between legalistic, heartless obedience and heal-dragging obedience? If we can honestly come before God and admit that our heart isn’t into it, but there’s just enough heart there to do it because you know it will please Him (the fact that you want to please Him is a seed of love in itself), that makes obedience an act of love. It may not be full love, but it will be the first step toward developing a love for Him.
In our passage today, look at Jesus’ words not so much as stating a requirement but rather as a reflection – a reflection of your love for Jesus. If you love Jesus, it will be reflected in how you live. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking if you love Jesus you must live in obedience. If you really love Jesus, you will live in obedience. Love comes first (even it’s only a little) and obedience follows. You may not always like to do the things Jesus asks, but we say to ourselves, “I love Him, so I will do what pleases Him.”
If you struggle with the motivation to love God – to make Him your first love – begin with what little love you do have and walk in obedience one step at a time. See if God won’t honor your obedience and meet you where you are and draw you to Himself.
