Wednesday Reading: John 15:14
Key Verse: John 15:14
14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
Devotion:
This is not a statement demanding that we do everything that Christ has said – though that in itself would be the best idea – but rather Christ expanding on what was said earlier in this chapter and what He would have us know. Friends do more for each other than just standing around and talking. Friends DO things for each other because that is what is in their hearts to do. Friends volunteer for things when others shy away. Friends are willing to take that extra step when other will not.
Christ was trying to get people to understand just how much love there is in the world and how much more we can exercise that love if we are willing to show it. Love does not mean that we have to separate ourselves from everyone else but the one we love. Love means that we should be willing to step forward and do things at all times without having to be called out and asked. Christ did not go to the cross because we begged Him to do so but rather that He wanted to and willingly went forward for our benefit.
That is how Christ would have us treat Him. We should be willing to do things for Him and be willing to work for Him without having to be asked to step forward and do it. The stopping point is that we did not know the things of God so He made sure that everything was given to us and written down first. That is then His commandments. It is not that we must obey Him because He has written it down but rather that we do His Commandments because we want to do what is right for Him. It is our choice and a choice that we should be willing to undertake with our whole hearts.
Points to Ponder:
Do you like helping your friends?
How often do you obey God?