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John 15:9-12 (NKJV)
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
10 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.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
In the above verses, Jesus was talking to the disciples about love, joy, and obedience. Interestingly, it was at a time when Jesus’ ministry on earth was coming to an end. What lay before Jesus was his betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. At a time like this, how was it even possible that Jesus could be talking about love, joy, and obedience?
The Scripture is clear that Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience to God. As John 6:38 (NKJV) states: For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. The Father’s Will was Jesus’ Will. As believers, we should follow the example of Jesus. We should be obedient to God.
Unfortunately, the world and its temptations have the potential to pull us away from living lives in obedience to God. If we allow it, the world and its temptations will hinder us from living lives that please God. From God’s Word, we know what pleases God. Consider the following:
- When we love the Lord with all our heart, that pleases God.
- When we trust God and not ourselves, that pleases God.
- When we mediate on God’s Word, that pleases God.
- When we follow Jesus, that pleases God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV) states: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
If our minds are not renewed, as in Romans 12:2, we will constantly find ourselves in a struggle between what we want to do (our will) and what God wants us to do (God’s Will). In truth, a renewed mind does not just happen. A renewed mind happens because we are intentional about surrendering to the Holy Spirit so that we can be transformed.
Through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, our minds are renewed. Through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, we can become more Christlike. Through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, in good times or bad, we will desire to please God and be obedient to God.
Philippians 2:8 (NKJV) states: And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Except where indicated, scripture references are from the American Standard Version (ASV), Darby Translation (DARBY), or King James Version (KJV) – all public domains.
