Obedience = Love

Not everyone, including ourselves (at times), will understand the call on your lives. Sometimes God has us do things that are way outside of our comfort zone or things that seem weird. I mean, Jesus spit in a mans eye to heal him. If that’s not weird, I don’t know what is.

Noah didn’t stop building the arch to explain to the onlookers what God called him to do. He simply walked in obedience. They didn’t understand while he was building, but when the rain descended, and the flood came, then they got it. Let God do what God’s going to do. You do your part. Stop worrying about what others think. God didn’t give them the vision He has for your life. Sometimes He doesn’t give it to us until we are knee deep in it.

We are called to live peaceable lives (Roman 12:18; 1 Timothy 2:2), mind our own business (1 Thessalonians 4:7) and above all, walk in obedience to God (John 14:23; Proverbs 6:20; James 1:2 and so many more scriptures).

But I will add another thing to this: love. I’ve been so convicted of this thing called love all the more recently. Without it, Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:2, we are nothing. Love is an action, not a feeling. We show love to those around us, to those we have access to, to everyone, even our enemies. Jesus showed us His excellent love, while we were yet still sinners, He died for us.

So be mindful of how you say things (Proverbs 15:1). Be mindful not to judge from a critical perspective (Matthew 7:1-2). We have ALL fallen short of the glory of God. Everyone of us. Everyday. Let’s love one another from the love that has been so graciously lavished onto us (John 15:12). Most importantly, love the Lord God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. The greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-38).

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails...

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Peter tells us, And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8). Why? Not because we are trying to hide or cover up sin, but to love one another back to God out of sin. You cannot cast out sin with anger and hatred (Sin). But with love. That’s how Jesus saved our lives. He loved us so much that He took our sin and shame to the cross. Thank You Jesus for paying the price not one of us was or is worthy of paying.