Today’s Scripture: John 14:23, NKJV- “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
We miss too many opportunities to tell our loved ones that we love them. How about Jesus, when was the last time you told Him that you love Him?
Words alone can also be shallow and contradictory. Our actions are proof of our convictions. Love is the communication of our hearts. Prayer is the communing of our spirits with the Spirit of God. Home is where our family is. Our spirits are at home with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
When we spend time alone with Jesus and tell Him we love Him we want nothing more than to know the love He shares with His Father. In the quiet times when we open our hearts, minds, and souls to God we do feel at home with Him. We also have no greater desire in these moments than to keep His commandments.
We all know the two commandments that Jesus said were the greatest. In Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34, and Luke 10:25-28 we are told that Jesus said we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. I find it interesting that the gospel of John does not recount this story but shares how the love of God and Jesus are His commands for us.
John 3:16 makes it clear that God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son. John 4:34 tells us that Jesus said, “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (NIV) In love, God sent Jesus and in love Jesus is completing the love of God in us.
In John 13:34, Jesus said “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (NKJV) The following verse states “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35 NLT) Our love for others comes from the love Jesus has for us and the love the Father has for Him.
In John 14:15 we are told that Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Jesus also promised in John 14:16 that if we love Him and keep His commands, He will ask the Father, and He will give us another Helper in the Holy Spirit that will live with us forever.
When we confess our love for Jesus, we come to know John 14:20, “At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” (NKJV) Also in John 14:21 Jesus continued by saying “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” (NLT) Jesus revels Himself to us in love. Will you tell Jesus You love Him now?
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us and sending Your only Son to us so we would know Your love. We love Your Son and spread love in keeping His word. Holy Spirit of God, please help us to love as Jesus loves and to keep His commands. We are at home in Your love. Amen.
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