Obedience, the Test of True Faith
Rev. Enoch Thompson | July 24, 2024 | John 14:23-24
KEY VERSE:
He 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 14:24 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Talk is cheap, the saying goes, and this is true. It is very easy to pay lip service to God. Anybody can claim to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. But over and over, the Lord demands obedience upon those who claim to love Him and be His followers.
In John 14:23-24 the Lord Jesus states back-to-back, positively and negatively the demand HE makes of His assumed followers to obey His teachings. Positively He states “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.” John 14:23 (NIV). Negatively He declares, “He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.” (John 14:24). The litmus test of true discipleship is a commitment to obeying the teachings of Christ. Remember the words of the Master on another occasion:
²¹ "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matt 7:21-23 (NIV).
The Apostle James puts it in another way, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:26 (NIV).
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Are you walking the talk or just talking all the way? What is the correlation between what you claim to be, a follower of Jesus Christ, and your life? Are you letting Christ, by His Word and by His Spirit, change you into becoming like Him in this fallen evil world?
PRAYER:
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I am grateful that you make it abundantly clear that you demand obedience, and that you relate to us according to how we relate to your Word to us. Please help me subject myself to your Word and your Holy Spirit. May I become obedient to you more and more. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DOES NOT LOVE The phrase "does not love" in Greek is "μὴ ἀγαπῶν" (mē agapōn), where "μὴ" (mē) is a negative particle meaning "not," and "ἀγαπῶν" (agapōn) is the present participle form of "ἀγαπάω" (agapaō), meaning "to love." This construction emphasizes the ongoing nature of the lack of love, indicating a continual state of not loving. The use of the phrase does not love emphasises that those who do not love Jesus will not obey His teachings, thereby revealing their true spiritual state. This clearly shows the link between love for Jesus and obedience to His commands, revealing that true faith is manifested in actions, not just words. It also emphasizes that Jesus' teachings are from God, and rejecting them is rejecting God Himself. Thus, obedience serves as the test of genuine love and faith. Reflections: John 14:24 challenges believers to examine their lives for evidence of true love and faith in Jesus, demonstrated by obedience to His teachings. How can you better demonstrate your love for Jesus through your obedience to His teachings?
コメント