When Your World Explodes – August 8 Readings: John 14:19-26 – Love and Obey

John 14-16: When Your World Explodes

Jesus knew, the night before his death, that the disciples' world was about to be blown to pieces. He would be arrested, tried, and crucified. They'd committed themselves to Jesus and he would be gone. In this powerful message, Jesus prepared the disciples to live in peace and spiritual power when the world around them was falling apart.

We will take the next three weeks delving into this passage.

Today's Reading: John 14:19-26       

19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. 21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.”

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”

23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.

25 “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

Through the Bible Readings: Job 27-28, Acts 28:17-31, Psalm 91:7–16, Proverbs19:25–27 

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: Love and Obedience     

I had dinner the other day with a guy I went to high school with in Taiwan. We lost touch for decades, then through Facebook, we've made contact and become friends. He was driving through Sioux City and we hit a restaurant. I've enjoyed getting in touch with old school friends, kids (now middle-aged adults) from my youth group, and people from the churches I've served. There is a downside to social media, though, and it is the way Christians often fail to match their testimony with their conduct. I see it all the time and am probably guilty of too often myself. 

I know a man who puts up tweet after tweet about the need for revival and the beauty of unity in the Body of Christ. Interspersed amongst these are messages that blast the character and integrity of anyone who disagrees with him about politics. He doesn't see the disconnect at all. I've seen Christians post about their love for Jesus in one Facebook message then the next contains vulgarity or some other highly inappropriate content. 

This is NOT a social media problem. Jesus said that our words reveal our hearts. What comes out of our mouths (or the words we type) is a reflection of our character and our integrity. The simple fact is that in American Christianity we've developed a patently false idea that loving Jesus and living for Jesus are not related. A person can be a "good Christian" while being a racist, an adulterer, an active homosexual, a dishonest businessman, an abuser - the list is long. Since salvation is by grace through faith and "once saved, always saved" we are secure in Christ regardless of how we live our lives. 

Certainly, the Bible teaches that we are saved by grace and that salvation once given is eternal, but the concept that a person can be saved by Christ, made a new creation in him, indwelled by the Holy Spirit, and happily live a life of sin, disregarding the way of Christ is utter nonsense. Jesus makes it clear here that loving him is expressed in obedience. We do not gain salvation by obedience but salvation given by God will be expressed in a desire to walk in obedience to Christ. 

In verse 23, Jesus says, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word." He follows that up with a negative expression of the same concept in verse 24. "The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words." Love for Jesus Christ will be demonstrated by a desire to obey him and walk in his ways. The failure to walk in obedience, the failure to obey, is evidence of a lack of a love relationship with Jesus Christ.

Please, let us stop pretending that what we believe does not affect how we live. Jesus said the opposite.  

 Father, continue to conform me to Christ and empower me to obedience every day. May my life (and my words) reflect to the world my love for you. 

Think and Pray:

Remember the old youth-group question: If they put you on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Think about this another way. Is your lifestyle and are your relationships consistent with your verbal witness? 

Does your obedience to Christ reflect a genuine heart of love for him?