John 14:23-27 NLT
“Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
Often, when we read this portion of scripture we hear, “If you love Me, you will obey me.” The emphasis is put on my proving my love for Christ by being obedient. I believe Jesus’ love language is love. It is not about us obeying Jesus, but rather us falling in love with Jesus. I propose that He is telling us that if we are in love with Him, obedience is not really an issue. We won’t have to try hard or work up the motivation to obey, it will flow naturally out of our love for Him. My trying to prove my love by obeying makes it once again, all about me and my effort – works. When I am in love with Jesus, it is all about Him and His magnificent work in me – grace.
This month, let us fall in love all over again with the One who will always love us best. Let us “return to our first love.” I encourage each of us to spend time with the One who gave His all to make it possible to be in the Father’s presence. Let Holy Spirit remind us of everything Jesus has told us and let His love overwhelm us as we receive His gift of peace.
I wonder what would happen if we chose to rest in His love, and then let it flow through us to touch and bring life to everyone we meet. We might just change our world.