THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Lord, we say we love you. For Christ followers, you’re our role model to fashion ourselves after as much as humanly possible. Seriously committing ourselves to follow you and live out John 3:16, requires we must submit to that blunt statement you made, which leaves little doubt of your meaning:

 “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15 NLT).

Some modern translations read you will obey; still others read you should obey. We get your point. To commit to making you our Lord and Savior, to demonstrate our sincerity and love, we are to obey your commands. It’s not exactly rocket science. This leaves us to question: what are your commands?

You laid them out plainly in your Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes. Obeying your commands opens your blessing. Love God and love your neighbor. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Trust God and he will supply your needs. Forgive one another, just as I, your Lord, have forgiven you. Show mercy when offended. I can avenge for you much better than you can. Show kindness to all people. Respect others.

Lord, for me and probably for most Christ followers, the hardest commandment to obey is “love our enemies.” You made it clear we don’t have to “like” our enemies, those who would do us emotional, physical, or spiritual harm. Show me how to love them, Lord.

You tell us to “love” them by remembering they too are created in your image, and Jesus, you died for their sins too, just as you did for me. We don’t have to invite them over for dinner, send them a Christmas card, or attend a Rangers game with them. But to love them, I must pray they turn their hearts toward you, and make you the Lord and Savior of their life. I must pray they find and live the abundant, fulfilling life that knowing you brings. To love them, and obey your commandments, I must live Matthew 5 through 7. Who knows, Lord. By obeying your commandments, my enemy might become my friend.

Lord, I can’t obey you without your help. You know we can’t do this on our own. Your Spirit picks me up when I fail, and your grace gives me another chance to get it right. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.