Ken’s Korner
A challenge from your Pastor
Last month, I challenged us as a body to read the scriptures looking for what it is that is pleasing to God. I want to follow up on that this month by looking at one specific aspect. Obedience! In John 14:15, Jesus said,
If you love Me you will keep My commandments.
We can therefore conclude that Obedience is an expression of love – and who among us is not pleased with a genuine gift of love?
I believe it is easier for some of us to obey when we understand the motive behind the commandment/rule. So, how do you view the commands of Scripture? Do you see them as restrictive? As a burden? If so, it will be more difficult to obey. I would point out that God’s commands are for our good. His commands are boundaries to protect us. I view them as buoys that mark out safe passage for ships to enter or leave a harbor. God is saying we are safe within these buoys but outside of them are hidden reefs which can cause us to shipwreck our faith. (1 Tim. 1:18-19) The reality is that this shipping lane is wide and we are free to enjoy the journey as long as we stay within God’s prescribed guidelines for our life.
So, what are these “buoys”? On one side is the command to Love the Lord our God And on the other side is the command to Love our neighbor. All of God’s other commands are designed to help us fulfill one of these two. The whole law is fulfilled/completed in one word LOVE. (Galatians 5:13-15) We are not loving God if we are not loving our brother. (1 John 4:20-21)
My dear friends. May we learn to see our obedience as a gift of Love to God AND to realize that this gift is actually for our own good.
