Tuesday, May 13, 2008
John 14:15-17 If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth.
THE SPIRIT WORKS IN US: NOW WE LOVE JESUS
Jesus taught He loves the Father, by doing what the Father commanded. Jesus was born in a humble stable, in a little known town, to a set of ordinary parents. He lived a quiet life that was little noticed, until He turned thirty and began preaching.
He let Himself be betrayed into the hands of His enemies because that was God's plan. He didn't defend His innocence when He was on trial. He didn't fight back when He was scourged. He carried a cross that wasn't His own. He let the sins of the world slip onto His shoulders, and felt the punishment for our sins descend on Him like a storm.
Jesus' obedience showed His love for His Heavenly Father, and His love for us.
In the same way, our obedience to Jesus shows our love for Him. However, unlike Jesus' obedience to the Father, the way we follow Jesus' teachings is not perfect. We fail the test of perfect love with every sin we commit. The only way that Christians ever keep Jesus' commands is through the Holy Spirit whom He has graciously sent into our hearts. Through the Spirit sent from Christ we learn to know true peace.
Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).
The world gives only when we give first. Jesus doesn't give like this. Jesus gives to us first. He has freely given us peace with God by taking our sins away. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Jesus loved us. Now we love Jesus.
