Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Guidance – John 14:23-24 – If Anyone Loves Me- Growing As Disciples

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 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 14:23-24 (NIV)  

What I Want

I don’t obey you simply because I should or must. I don’t think you would find much pleasure in my feeling obligated to obey, follow and serve you. You would not be happy with however much I gave to you if I gave it to you with a reluctant heart. Not that I can give you anything that you don’t already have. Not that I can give you anything that you haven’t already given to me. I know that all I am, have and hope to be comes from you. Yes, it does.

It would never work if my obeying, following and serving you was motivated by a feeling that I should or must obey you. Why is that? I am not that strong willed. I am not that disciplined. I am not that consistent. I would never be able to keep on doing something simply out of a sense of obligation. No, you would not. I’m not saying that I obey or follow or serve you perfectly. It would be foolish to think I had done or would be able to do that. Yes, that would be foolish.

You are passionately following. It is your desire to serve me. You do want to do what is pleasing in my sight. I have even heard you say that there is no place you would rather be than in my presence. You have also said that there is nothing that you would rather do than my will. I know these things about you. Why is it that you want to obey, follow and serve me? Why do you want to know me? Why do you want to know and do my will? I want to obey, follow and serve you because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I love you because you first loved me. You have lavished me with your love. You have allowed me to taste of your goodness, kindness and mercy. The desire of my heart is to draw nearer to you. The desire of my heart is to serve you more perfectly. The desire of my heart is to obey you more perfectly. Loving, obeying following, and serving you is what I want to do because you love me and I love you. That is very good.

Lord, I love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. Show me how I can live in your love. Come and make your home with me. I’m here to listen to all you have to say to me. May my love for you guide all my thoughts, words, deeds and course of my life. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Guidance – John 14-23-24- If Anyone Loves Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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