Obedience before sacrifice

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love. John 15:10

Just think of what a difference in meaning it would make if the words in this sentence were interchanged. “If you remain in my love, you will keep my commands,” would mean priority in remaining in the love of Christ over obedience. But Jesus gives more importance on us “keeping His commands”. Which is why 1 Samuel 15 says that to obey is better than sacrifice. Your commitment to Christ is decided by your obedience to His Word. Obedience depicts honour, it shows love in action, which naturally leads to you remaining in His love.

As we bring our lives more and more in line with the Word, we realize it requires a whole lot of surrender. Sacrificial Surrender. It is in this surrender that we see the meaning of John 3:30, “He must increase in my life and I must decrease”. Living for Christ requires strength, patience and faith. When we abide in Him and His presence that we are nourished and empowered by the power of His Precious Holy Spirit. We have all the resources to live a life acceptable to Him. Through obedience we harness strength to overcome sin.

Above all, Jesus encourages us to learn from His life. His utmost priority was to keep His Father’s commands and stay rooted in His love. That’s what we are to do-stay firmly grounded and rooted in His love. Our lifestyle will either magnify us or our Saviour. So, let us pray that in all we do, may Jesus alone be glorified, may His love be the aroma that our lives emit.