We are a rebellious people on this earth.
That rebellious nature extends into the life of the Christian. Yet, we are
called out of rebellion and into slavery when we come to Christ. This is not a
forced slavery, but it is instead, an exercise of our free will, motivated by
our love for Jesus, that calls us to become bondservants. You see this is one
of the great paradoxes of scripture, that Christ has set us free, but He set us
free so that we would use our freedom to become slaves to Him. Why? You can
find the explanation in what Jesus says in John 14:31, “But
I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the
Father.”
The way the world can see
we love the Father and His Son, is through our response to His commands.
Jesus went on and said
this in John 15:9-10, “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.”
Yesterday in the sermon I
heard preached, the pastor made this statement, “Christians ought to be the
most joyful people on earth.” Yet, many of us walk around as if the whole world
is coming down upon us. Maybe it is. But joy, Christian joy, is not dependent upon
circumstances.
Why aren’t we joy-filled?
(I’ve read your Facebook posts people, don’t be in denial, joy isn’t characterizing
us as it should.) Again, let Jesus explain.
John 15:9-11
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. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
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. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Our joy will be full, when our obedience
is towards His commandments. It’s that simple. Abide in His love. Let love, not
this fake, phony love the world speaks of, but true Christian love, dominate
your life. Abide in His love. Again, what did Jesus say? He said this, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.”
These aren’t my words;
they are the words of Christ. Abide in them. Abide in Him. Now go, open your
Bible and learn what this means.
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