Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – John 14:15 – You Love Me – Growing As Disciples
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15 (NIV)
Obey Me
You do want to obey me. I can see that quite clearly. Do you know why you want to obey me? I haven’t always wanted to obey you. There were times when obeying you was the farthest thing from my heart and mind. I was more interested in obeying my own passions, lusts and desires. I lived solely for my own comfort and pleasure. I pursued my own thoughts and goals and dreams. I was so full of myself that I had no room for you in my heart and mind. Even the idea of obeying you was completely foreign to me. I didn’t think that I wanted or needed you in my life. I was completely self-reliant and self-sufficient. I felt so sure that I had all that I would ever want and need. What happened? I was wrong. The self-centered and sinful life that I was living can only end in brokenness. It didn’t take long for me to become bruised and battered and broken by the life I was living. Soon enough, I cried out to you for help. I asked you to rescue me from the life I was living. I turned myself over to you. I asked you to come into my life. I asked you to forgive my sin and cleanse me of all my unrighteousness. I said that I would follow you as my Savior and Lord. Yes, you did. You rescued me from a life without you. Yes, I did.
You still haven’t fully answered my question. What’s that? Why do you want to obey me? You love me. You did not turn away from me when I cried out to you. You did not reject me. You did not shame me. You threw your arms around me and welcomed me into your family. You made me to be your child. You forgave me of all my sin. You cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. You healed my bruised, battered and broken life. You filled me with your Spirit and set me on the path of life following you as my Savior and Lord. Yes, I did. Now, I love you because you first love me. Day by day I am living in your love. Moment by moment my love for you grows stronger. My heart and mind are captivated of thoughts and filled with desires to do what pleases you. It is no inconvenience or burden for me to obey you. I want what you want. I take pleasure and have great joy in doing your will. In every way I want to become like you. I want to know you. I want to walk in your ways. I want to love you just as you have loved me. That is the desire of my heart and mind and soul. I want nothing else. I want nothing less. You have answered me well.
Lord, I do love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. My heart and mind are captivated by thoughts of doing what pleases you. It is my joy and pleasure to do whatever you desire. I will go where you guide me to do all that you ask of me. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional study guide click here:
If – John 14-15 – You Love Me – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.
Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.
By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved Copying not permitted www.GrowingAsDisciples.com
