Devotional
Love In Action
Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, My Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal Myself to each of them."
John 14:21
John 14:21
Which is more powerful, love or fear?
I would argue that true love usually will overcome fear. When love is our motive, it is very hard to oppose it. This is the whole concept behind Christian virtue. We live righteously because we love the one who has given us this righteousness.
In other words, you really cannot dictate true goodness. If I do kind deeds, refrain from bad things, and serve sacrificially all because I am afraid of being judged, missing out, or going to hell, then those actions will always be the bare minimum of my effort.
But if we do kind deeds, refrain from bad things, and serve sacrificially out of true love and devotion, then not only are those acts more powerful, but they will be full of joy as well.
Jesus said that if we love him, we will obey him. This is not an ultimatum. It is not a threat. It is not a condition that he puts on accepting you. He is simply stating how love is seen in action.
This teaching is confirmed throughout the New Testament. As we express our love for God through our life, our heart for him grows. This develops into a life that obeys Jesus as the most natural thing.
Brett
I would argue that true love usually will overcome fear. When love is our motive, it is very hard to oppose it. This is the whole concept behind Christian virtue. We live righteously because we love the one who has given us this righteousness.
In other words, you really cannot dictate true goodness. If I do kind deeds, refrain from bad things, and serve sacrificially all because I am afraid of being judged, missing out, or going to hell, then those actions will always be the bare minimum of my effort.
But if we do kind deeds, refrain from bad things, and serve sacrificially out of true love and devotion, then not only are those acts more powerful, but they will be full of joy as well.
Jesus said that if we love him, we will obey him. This is not an ultimatum. It is not a threat. It is not a condition that he puts on accepting you. He is simply stating how love is seen in action.
This teaching is confirmed throughout the New Testament. As we express our love for God through our life, our heart for him grows. This develops into a life that obeys Jesus as the most natural thing.
Brett
Posted in Devotional