Obedience to God’s Word is proof of our love for Him. There are three motives for obedience: We can obey because we have to, because we need to, or because we want to.

A slave obeys because he has to. If he doesn’t obey he will be punished. An employee obeys because he needs to. He may not enjoy his work, but he does enjoy getting his paycheck! He needs to obey because he has a family to feed and clothe. But a Christian is to obey his Heavenly Father because he wants to—for his relationship with God is one of love.

This is the way we learned obedience when we were children. First we obeyed because we had to. If we didn’t obey, we were punished! But as we grew up, we discovered that obedience meant enjoyment and reward; so we started obeying because it met certain needs in our lives. It was a mark of real maturity when we started obeying because of love.

“Baby Christians” must constantly be warned or rewarded. Mature Christians listen to God’s Word and obey it simply because they love Him.

Jesus said: “If ye love Me, keep My commandments” ( John 14:15).

Also Read: 1 John 2:4-5; 1 John 5:2-3; Psalm 119:10.

Action assignment: Spend a few minutes telling God you love Him. Thank Him for His love for you. Perhaps you can think of an area in your life in which you have not obeyed Him; ask God to help you be obedient.

Warren W. Wiersbe
www.backtothebible.in