“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. 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).

Untitled

If someone slaps my right cheek, am I not to turn to them the other? If someone wants to sue me and take my shirt, am I not to give them my coat as well? What would I really say to the Good Samaritan? What would I really say to the widow giving all she had to live on to God?

Maybe I wouldn’t turn the other cheek, or surrender my coat without putting up a fight. Perhaps I would scoff at the Good Samaritan, and rebuke the widow. And I get discouraged. Yet I recognize the fruits of obedience maturing; the work of the Holy Spirit within me. Then I remember that I was created in Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians 2:10); that God foreknew and predestined me to be conformed into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). Then I remember that God is working within me to will and act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13); that God saved and called me to a holy life before the beginning of time (2 Timothy 1:9).

“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. 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). I know the world will know me by my obedience, but sometimes I fail and get disheartened. Then I remember the promises of God.

To view all posts, click/press the link here to visit the Amazing Tangled Grace main page.

Please take a moment to like Amazing Tangled Grace on Facebook by clicking/pressing here to visit the page.

Please sign up to follow my blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. God bless! 

Advertisement