A major distinctive feature of man is the power of the will, and one of the ways man expresses the power of the will is in making resolution. According to Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, 7ff Edition,
resolution is the quality of being resolute or determined. It is a firm decision to do or not to do something. It pleases God when His children resolve, determine or make a firm decision to love Him absolutely as the year begins, without coercion or undue influence. It is sad that the lives and comportment of many Christians nowadays are opposite of love to God. As the year begins with many making various resolutions, may we resolve that in our lives and family, we will love the Lord more. May the Lord enable us to stand by this resolution.
LOVING AND OBEYING GOD GO TOGETHER
Though she was a pagan, Delilah made a profound statement in Judges 16: 15 that made Samson reveal to her what he had kept secret all his life. She said ". . . How can you say you love me, when . . . you've made a fool of me three times, and you still haven't told me what makes you so strong" (GNB). A Christian cannot claim he loves God when he breaks God's command. Against this background, the Lord Jesus told His disciples the relationship between love and obedience in the text for this lesson, as stated below:
Ifyou love me, keep my commandments (v. 15).
Ifyou obey or keep my commandments, you love me (v. 21 ).
Ifanyone loves me, he will obey my teaching (v. 23).
we resolve to love God more this new year, we should bear in mind that we must strive to obey His commandments and teachings.
OBEDIENT LOVE IS BROAD
Obedient love is indeed broad. It involves all the points stated below:
It involves knowing what Jesus teaches (verse 24). Jesus said in one of His parables that a servant who knows his master's will but fails to do it shall be beaten. Even the one who fails to do it because he does not know will also be beaten, though with fewer stripes. A Christian has no excuse for not knowing the teaching of the Lord, since knowing and doing His teachings is obedient love.
It includes knowing the sayings of Christ.
It involves knowing what Jesus wants (v. 24).
It includes all that Christ has said about
God the Father.
God the Holy Spirit.
All that Christ commanded about the Good News (Matthew 28: 19).
OBEDIENT LOVE BRINGS US CLOSER TO THE LORD.
A human parent draws to himself an obedient child. The same is true when a Christian demonstrates obedient love to the Lord. The Lord makes His abode with such a person. Below are a few ways by which obedient love brings us closer to the Lord:
We become more intimate with God as a reward for obedience (v. 21 b).
He dwells in a special way with the obedient Christian.
Truly, the biblical deeper life is attained by going deeper into the word of God and practicing it (Joshua 1:8).
Jesus manifests Himself to us in response to our obedient love, as in the case of John. Of all the disciples of the Lord, John talked more about love. The Bible records that he reclined in the Lord's bosom. It is to such a person that the Lord could entrust the care of Mary (the Lord's mother) when He was on the cross
THE HOLY SPIRIT MAKES OBEDIENT LOVE POSSIBLE
Obedient love to the Lord is difficult for a natural man, but not for Christians. This is because we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to demonstrate obedient love to the Lord. The Lord promised that He would send the Holy Spirit to help us in that regard. The
Bible says the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spiri
The Holy Spirit is the one who enables us to obey and live by Christ's teachings (v. 16).
Explain how the Holy Spirit enables believers to obey Christ's teaching.
DISOBEDIENCE IS EVIDENCE OF LACK OF LOVE
Delilah questioned Samson's love for her when his heart was not with her. In the same way, a Christian's lack ofobedience to the Lord's teaching is an evidence ofhis lack Of love for the Lord. Jesus declared unequivocally that anyone who does not love Him does not obey His commandments.
Is it possible for someone to be a Christian and not love the Lord? Lack of love, as proved by lack of obedience, may be the result of:
Not having truly received Christ as personal Saviour and Lord.
Refusal to yield to the prompting and direction of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENT LOVE
The many advantages of obedient love include the following: (Students can mention more.)
Recognition, like with John who was counted worthy to take care of Jesu mother after His death (John 19:26, 27).
Freedom from fear
Enjoying love from the Father and love from Jesus His Son (John 16:27).
Our love for God will result in a better country, as it will positively impact our country (1 John 4:20).
