LOVE FIRST

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

IF YOU LIKE THIS POST PLEASE FOLLOW US, SHARE WITH OTHERS AND PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS AND GIVE US A LIKE.

Translate this site into your preferred language, look for our Google translator in our home page: diningwithjesus.net

Traduce este sitio en tu idioma preferido, busca nuestro traductor de Google en nuestra página de inicio ve a: diningwithjesus.net

One of the most simple, most understandable teachings from Jesus Christ is this: 

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.”

(John 14:23-24 NIV11)  

Confused

We often get very confused about what it means to obey the teaching of Jesus Christ. 

Some people think that our ability to do what is right is what leads us into the love of God. This way of thinking makes way too much of our occasional act of goodness and diminishes the fact of our total brokenness and addiction to self. 

Others assume that because we have been given grace and mercy by Jesus Christ on the cross, that none of our actions really matter to God and that we should stop trying to honor God with our words and actions. This view ignores the plain truth of the message of the Christian Bible that routinely calls all of God’s people into a relationship of love that is marked by obedience. 

Jesus Said

When speaking of people who claim to be followers of Jesus but who are really Christians in name only, Jesus told us that we will be able to recognize these wolves in sheep’s clothing by examining their actions. Jesus made this clear when he said, “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:20 NIV11)

Likewise, when Jesus was teaching his followers about their need to follow his commands and example, he made it clear that the world will be looking at their fruit to determine whether or not the Gospel is true. Jesus made this clear as he said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35 NIV11)

Point

The big idea Jesus was teaching his followers is this, if we have received the love of God through the gift of grace provided through the cross of Christ, then this love will show up in our words, actions, and attitudes. 

Additionally, if we embrace the person of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Master, then as his students and disciples, we will begin to resemble Jesus Christ in the way we live, think, work, play, and care for one another. 

Seen

If Jesus Christ is Lord of our hearts, then our hearts will be so filled with Jesus that he will be seen all throughout our day to day lives. This is the point being made in our study from the letter of 1 John for today:

3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

(1 John 2:3-6 NIV11)

Context

All on its own, divorced from the rest of the message of the Christian Bible, this passage seems like it is arguing for a perfectionist, works based connection with God. 

But if we read this passage in its context, as part of the larger message of the Gospel being presented in this letter and throughout the rest of the New Testament, we see that teaching is simply echoing what has already been said over and over. 

Filled

If we say we know Jesus Christ and that we believe that he is who he claimed to be and that he did what the Bible claims he did, and that he will fulfill all that he promised to do, then this faith will change us. As we are filled with God’s love, God’s truth, and God’s gift of his Holy Spirit, everything in our flesh, in our minds, in our desires, in our plans and hopes will also change. 

When we are in Christ and Christ is in us, we will want to obey the commands of Jesus and we will try hard to follow in his footsteps. That is just a fact. 

Order

Where people come undone around this subject is the order of events. If you are trying to prove your love to God by being obedient, you will struggle and fail. 

God’s redemption and salvation are not externally applied. We must allow the Lord into every part of our hearts and minds. We must receive him before we can follow him. 

If I get this order wrong… woe to me as I am attempting the impossible. 

Let the Lord be Lord in all of me, and then I will see his love shining out of me more and more as the darkness within me is destroyed by his wonderful light. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

Copyright © 2024 Ryan Laden – All Rights Reserved.