Tag: John 14:26

Unto Us a Child is Born

George Frideric Handel composed his musical masterpiece Messiah in just twenty-four days, completing it in September of 1741. It includes 53 movements divided in three parts and usually takes 2 ½- 3 hours to perform. I remember sitting in the audience at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco a few times as a fidgety child. (I liked getting dressed up and going into the city, but my parents failed to mention how long the performance would last.) 

Even if you’ve never heard all 53 movements, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with the most memorable portion, the “Hallelujah Chorus,” with lyrics plucked from the book of Revelation:

 “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” (Revelation 19:6, KJV); “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” (Revelation 19:16, KJV); “And he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15, KJV).

While that part of the musical composition always triggers a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, the one that keeps running through my head this year comes from the section inspired by writings of the prophet Isaiah:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, KJV)

I’m struck by how Isaiah depicts characteristics of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) in his prophecy. Other parts of Scripture affirm the qualities he describes:

Wonderful Counselor: “But the Advocate [also translated as Counselor], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26, NIV)

Mighty God and Everlasting Father: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:28-29, NIV)

Prince of Peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV)

Which aspect of our triune God do you need most right now? Perhaps it’s wisdom for navigating tricky relationships with family this holiday season. Maybe it’s strength to find joy in the many tasks at this busy time of year. Or, perhaps, it’s peace you long for amidst the noise of a world that clamors for your attention during a season meant to celebrate the simplicity of the birth of Christ.

As you endeavor to make the holidays memorable and meaningful for those you love, may you find wisdom from our Wonderful Counselor, strength from our Mighty God, hope from our Everlasting Father, and serenity from our Prince of Peace.

And now, I’d love to share a memory from my childhood. Click here and enjoy a moment of Christmas peace listening to “Unto Us a Child is Born” from Handel’s Messiah.

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Saying Yes

She was around twelve years old; not yet married but already betrothed, as was the custom for Jewish people in her time period. In a stunning set of events, an angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28, NIV) He explained that Mary would be the mother to the Messiah that had been promised since the time of Abraham, thousands of years earlier. Not surprisingly, she was troubled by the announcement. Despite being a virgin, under Jewish law, she could have been stoned to death as an adulteress for being pregnant out of wedlock. Even if she wasn’t accused of adultery, it would likely end her betrothal to Joseph. She would be doomed to a life of shame, ostracized from her family and her community. However, Mary responded simply, “I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38, NIV) She didn’t know how her story would unfold, but she trusted the One who was writing it.

Mary said “yes” to the adventure the Lord had planned for her. Kristi McClelland encourages us to be inspired by her example: “Think of all the times you were minding your own business and something came out of nowhere and grabbed your heart—something that changed the direction of your life.”1 She urges us to consider what opportunities God has for us to go on a “kingdom adventure.”

Maybe you’re feeling a bit confused or unsure about how to discern when to say “yes.” Or, maybe you’re a little scared about how God will mess with your life if you do.  Each “yes” has led me significant spiritual growth and has expanded my comfort zone. That said, every opportunity may not be our best “yes.” Over the years, I’ve used a series of questions to help me discern the right answer. Try using the questions and verses that follow next time you sense a new kingdom adventure may be afoot.2

1.  Does what I’m hearing line up with Scripture?

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Romans 12:2, NIV

“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8, NIV

2.  Is what I’m hearing consistent with God’s character?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23, NET Bible

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31, NIV

3.  Is what I’m hearing being confirmed through other messages? Do people with godly wisdom affirm this decision to say “yes”?

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21, NIV

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22, NIV

4.  Is what I’m hearing beyond me? Is this something that will require me to rely on God’s strength, wisdom, and guidance rather than just my own skills or gifts?

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” First Thessalonians 5:24, NIV

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26, NIV

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26, NIV

5. Would what I’m hearing please God?

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”  Philippians 1:9-10, NIV

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” First Corinthians 10:31, NIV

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:21, NIV

Once you’ve sorted out the biblical reasons for saying “yes,” it’s time to ask yourself about practical aspects of your current life situation:

  • Can I handle this request along with my current responsibilities?
  • How would this commitment affect my marriage, family, and/ or other important relationships?
  • How will this “yes” mean saying “no” to other things?
  • Do I have the time and mental space to add this onto my plate right now? 
  • Do I have emotional space for this commitment in my life right now?
  • Is there something God is calling me to eliminate to make room for this?
  • What’s holding me back from saying “yes”? 
  • What positive things could happen if I say “yes”?

As you’re praying about the decision, consider inviting someone you trust and respect to be praying with you. This will enable you to answer with confidence and peace. Above all else, remember that anything God calls you to do is for your good and His glory; He will equip you with exactly what you need. May you discover incredible joy as the Lord leads you to opportunities He’s prepared just for you!

Let “Same God” by Elevation Worship remind you that the God of Mary is there to guide you and equip you, just as He did for her. Click here to listen.

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1. Kristi McClelland, Jesus and Women: In the First Century and Now, Lifeway Press, 2019, 129.

2. Five questions adapted from What Happens When Women Say ‘Yes’ to God by Lysa TerKeurst, Harvest House Publishers, 2011.

Thanksgiving Bonus

Studying the prayers of people in Scripture over the past few months has shown us the importance of slowing down to thank God. In our culture, we’re prone to filling up those moments meant for pausing with way too much activity. Thanksgiving is almost here but, before you start shopping, cooking, baking, hosting, or eating, take some time to put on the brakes and do what the holiday was designed for: giving thanks. 

While I have many things that I’m thankful for this year, I want to turn my attention to just a few. Will you join me in drawing near to God and thanking Him for some of these rich blessings?

1. The Gift of God’s Faithfulness: “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24, NIV) In April of 2020, God blessed me with the opportunity to write Extraordinary Prayer. At the time I agreed to do it, I had plenty of time to write due to the COVID lockdown. However, three months later, my mom was diagnosed with cancer and put on hospice. Before I finished writing it, she went home to heaven. Words can’t express my gratefulness to God for enabling me to balance caring for my mom with writing the study and bringing it to completion. And on top of that, He’s given me tremendous joy as I’ve taught through different sessions and studied it with others this fall.

2. The Hope of Eternity with God: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17, NIV) These verses have become so familiar that we may have lost sight of their significance. I’m thankful that God showed us mercy by sending His son to pay the price for our sins so that we can be with Him forever. It’s comforting knowing God’s plan isn’t to condemn us, but to save us. Attending to two funerals recently and having both my parents deceased makes me even more aware of how fleeting our time on earth is. I’m truly grateful that this life isn’t the end of the story.

3. The Gift of the Holy Spirit: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be  in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you… But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:16-18, 26, NIV) I’m grateful for God’s continual presence in my life through the gift of the Holy Spirit. What a comfort it is knowing I have a counselor and guide who gives me access to God’s power at all times. Although my earthly parents are now in heaven, I thank God that He doesn’t leave me as an orphan.

4. The Gift of Peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV) In a world filled with chaos and discord, I’m grateful for peace that isn’t dependent upon circumstances. Because God is faithful and trustworthy, I can have peace that defies logic. I am confident of His goodness and know that He wants only what is good for me. So even when I don’t understand why He’s allowing hardships or difficulties, I can find peace in Him. That’s a rare gift in our world today.

5. The Gift of Christian Fellowship: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6, NIV) What an incredible gift and blessing it is to walk beside others in faith. Over the past year I’ve experienced numerous hard, sad, difficult moments, but I’ve also received an abundance of love, support, and encouragement from godly friends and family. In addition to that, I’ve had the joy of serving with some incredible people who have sharpened my faith and helped me to continue growing in my walk with Jesus. God surrounded me with amazing support as I wrote Extraordinary Prayer. If you have a copy of the book, you can see many of their names written in the acknowledgements.

What fills you with gratitude right now? Don’t let the bustle of the holiday cause you to miss what it’s really all about. Take five minutes and tell God how you feel. Let Rend Collective’s “Counting Every Blessing” put words to your prayer. Click here to listen.

A Guide for Saying “Yes”

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV)

How will we discover the adventure of trusting God’s plans for us if we’re never willing to try something new? Maybe you’ve been pondering and praying about that as you’re wrapping up studying Megan Fate Marshman’s Meant for Good. And perhaps you’re feeling a bit confused or unsure about saying “yes” to new opportunities. If so, I’d love to share some questions that have helped me with decision making. Over the years, I’ve used them to process the pros and cons of getting involved in new ventures. 

Saying “yes” creates an exciting opportunity for the Lord to work in and through you. It is important, however, to evaluate your options carefully. Before you decide, read the questions and verses that follow and pray for God to give you clarity. Consider inviting someone you trust and respect to be praying and checking in with you for a set period of time (I suggest one week). 

1.  Does what I’m hearing line up with Scripture?

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Romans 12:2, NIV

“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8, NIV

2.  Is what I’m hearing consistent with God’s character?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23, NET Bible

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31, NIV

3.  Is what I’m hearing being confirmed through other messages? Do people with godly wisdom affirm this decision to say “yes”?

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21, NIV

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22, NIV

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”  Psalm 32:8, NIV

4.  Is what I’m hearing beyond me? Is this something that will require me to rely on God’s strength, wisdom, and guidance rather than just my own skills or gifts?

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” First Thessalonians 5:24, NIV

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26, NIV

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26, NIV

5. Would what I’m hearing please God?

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”  Philippians 1:9-10, NIV

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” First Corinthians 10:31, NIV

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:21, NIV

Once you’ve sorted out the biblical reasons for saying “yes,” it’s time to ask yourself about practical aspects of your current life situation:

  • Can I handle this request along with my current responsibilities?
  • How would this commitment affect my marriage, family, and/ or other important relationships?
  • How will this “yes” mean saying “no” to other things? Is there something else filling my time that it’s time to let go?
  • Do I have the time and mental space to add this onto my plate right now?
  • Do I have emotional bandwidth for this commitment in my life right now?
  • What’s holding me back from saying “yes”? 
  • What positive things could happen if I say “yes”?

Experiencing the adventures God has in store starts with giving your best “yes.” Processing and praying through these questions will enable you to make a decision with confidence and peace.

Above all else, remember that anything God calls you to do is for your good and His glory; He will equip you with exactly what you need! He loves you and wants to bless you in amazing ways as you serve Him. May you discover incredible joy as He leads you to the opportunities He’s prepared just for you! Let “God Who Listens” by Chris Tomlin and Thomas Rhett remind you of His intimate and personal love for you.

*First five questions adapted from What Happens When Women Say ‘Yes’ to God by Lysa TerKeurst, Harvest House Publishers, 2011.

Megan Fate Marshman, Meant for God: The Adventure of Trusting God’s Plans for You, Zondervan 2020.

Obedience Requires Trust

Handing back the graded assignment, I affirmed my student for her effort, but explained why she hadn’t earned the maximum points possible. She glared at me with arms folded for the rest of the period in Freshman English. Sadly, no amount of encouragement I gave could break through her stubborn shell. As the semester progressed, I think she saw me as an unreasonable and unfair task master. Eventually, she just gave up trying. Her stubbornness and pride led her to miss the opportunity to learn from that experience and prevented her from receiving any further instruction from me.

While I would never be so presumptuous as to equate myself with God, I think many of us see Him similarly to the way my student saw me all those years ago. We want to approach Him on our terms instead of His. Rather than taking the time to learn how to live faithfully and obediently, we follow our own path and then don’t understand why we don’t feel more connected to Him.

Accepting God’s free gift of grace offered through Jesus marks the beginning of a lifelong process of growing in a relationship with Him. Author and pastor Eugene Peterson describes this journey as “a long obedience in the same direction.” That “o” word (obedience) is a hard one to accept in our culture today. Like my student, most of us want to do things on our terms. We pray hoping God will bend to our wills instead of inviting His will to be done. The idea of obeying Him doesn’t sound nearly as attractive as the free gift of grace.  Yet, the two were meant to go hand in hand.

Jesus taught His disciples about the importance of obedience saying: “If you love me, keep my commands…Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:15 & 21, NIV)

Years after hearing Jesus teach, John expanded on the importance of obedience by explaining, “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says,’I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:3-6, NIV)

The idea is that once we receive God’s grace, we show our love for Him by responding with obedience. Doing this makes His love complete in us over the course of a lifetime. It shows that we trust Him, whether or not we understand what He’s doing. Author Priscilla Shirer explains, “Obedience is not only the proactive posture we take to hear Him, but it is also the response we employ once He has spoken.” (p. 186)

I’m guessing right now you may be wondering two things. First, how are we supposed to know all of the commands Jesus wants us to obey? Second, how can I ever follow them obediently when I still struggle with sin every day?

The short answer to the first question is simple: you need to read the Bible consistently. The more you study Scripture, the more it will study you. As you discover God’s plan for your life and begin to incorporate His ways into your choices, you’ll begin to surrender different areas of your life that you’ve been trying to control on your own.  As you respond to His Word by trusting Him and taking steps of obedience, you begin walking a new path that puts God in the lead instead of you. Make time consistently to study His Word intently, discuss it with others, wrestle in prayer over the things you don’t understand, and ultimately you will be changed by it.

Going back to the second question above, you may be wondering how it’s possible for an imperfect and sinful person to be obedient and walk as Jesus did. We can’t be obedient to God based on our own will power or good intentions. Jesus knew this, which is why when He explained the importance of obedience to the disciples, He also said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you…the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:16, 17, 26, NIV)

When we accept Christ, the Holy Spirit of God comes to live in us. He is our tutor, our guide, and our advocate. He gives us wisdom when we ask for it, He convicts us when we’re dabbling with sin, and He gently leads us in the way God calls us to go. He speaks to us through God’s Word, searches our hearts, and intercedes for us in our prayers (see Romans 8:26-27 if you’ve never heard this before).

God’s grace gives us access to Him for eternity but our trust and obedience are the keys to living the abundant life He intends for us now. Not surprisingly, there aren’t many popular songs today about the concept of obedience.  There is, however, a great old hymn called “Trust and Obey.” Click on the link to hear Big Daddy Weave’s version of this song and let the truth of the lyrics marinate in your mind.

Originally posted as “Faith Foundation #8: Trust and Obey” on August 1, 2017.

Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God, Lifeway Press, 2018.

Listening for God’s Voice

Regardless of our age or station in life, all of us make choices about what we listen to and what we ignore. For those who love God and follow Jesus, it’s important to consider what input we choose to receive daily. How do we make ourselves available to hear from God? How do we learn to discern when He is speaking to us? Why do some people seem to hear from Him often and others not at all?

Pulling into a parking space, I stopped the car and turned to look at my two little boys in the back seat. They’d been listening to a story on a CD and I was surprised to find one of them hunched down with his ear next to the speaker in the car door.  Over the following weeks, my concern grew as I noticed many times when my son didn’t respond to me when I was talking to him. Finally, I made an appointment to have his hearing tested.

At the end of the visit, the doctor came in to report his findings. I braced myself for the news until I saw him smirk. “Your son doesn’t have a hearing problem, he has a listening problem.” My fear was quickly replaced by frustration. It turns out his hearing was perfect, he just listened selectively. Apparently, the stories playing in the car were worthy of his full attention, so he leaned close to the speaker to filter out all other noises. Conversely, there were times that I talked to him that didn’t seem as interesting or important, so he just didn’t listen. A mix of relief and exasperation filled my mind as we left the doctor’s office.

As I think about that story years later, I realize that all people have a “listening problem,” whether their hearing is perfect or not. Regardless of our age or station in life, all of us make choices about what we listen to and what we ignore. For those who love God and follow Jesus, it’s important to consider what input we choose to receive daily. How do we make ourselves available to hear from God? How do we learn to discern when He is speaking to us? Why do some people seem to hear from Him often and others not at all?

First and foremost, the Bible is our primary source for understanding how the Lord speaks. It is the guidebook for learning how to tune our hearts to hear His voice. God’s Word speaks to us directly and is also meant to be the filter through which we examine everything else in our lives. Scanning my Bible’s concordance for passages on hearing, listening, and obeying, I found ample information in both the Old and New Testaments. Here are a few of the many things I learned from Jesus’ teaching on these topics:

Jesus’ Followers Know Him and Recognize His Voice:“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:14-16)

Jesus’ Followers Obey His Teaching: “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.  Anyone 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)

Jesus’ Followers Rely on the Holy Spirit for Guidance: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

Jesus’ Followers Experience Peace by Listening to Him:“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

In the next few weeks, I look forward to unpacking Priscilla Shirer’s updated version of Discerning the Voice of God to learn more about these concepts. I loved the original rendition of this study when I did it in 2009. Little did I know what trials and challenges I’d face shortly after completing it. Knowing how to discern God’s voice and to follow His leading have reassured me more times than I can count over the years since then. I hope you’ll join me as I continue to explore and deepen my understanding on this weighty topic.

For some musical inspiration, listen to Crowder’s song “Red Letters” and be struck by the power God’s words have to change our lives when we lean in and truly listen. (For those who are unfamiliar with the term “red letters,” some Bibles use red print to signify direct quotes from Jesus in the New Testament.)

Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God Speaks, Lifeway Press, 2018.

Faith Foundation #8: Trust and Obey

She was one of those students brimming with potential. As her freshman English teacher, I was eager to see her tap into it, but she seemed more interested in boys, clothes and popularity. When she did turn in work, it was mediocre at best. And then one day, she surprised me with a new attitude. Handing me a completed assignment, she gushed, “I worked on this all night, I can’t wait for you to see it.” Pleased by her newfound enthusiasm, I leafed through the stack of papers later that day eager to find hers. To my disappointment, the assignment she’d completed didn’t follow the guidelines I’d explained to the class. It was obvious she’d put a lot of effort into creating some beautiful artwork, but none of the other requirements had been met. There was no way I could give her full credit for it. I’d explained the instructions verbally and in writing, but she’d chosen to ignore them and do things her way.

Handing the assignment back the next day, I affirmed her for her effort, but explained why she didn’t earn the maximum points possible. Sadly, no amount of encouragement or explanation I gave her could break through her stubborn shell. She glared at me with arms folded for the rest of the period. As the year progressed, I think she saw me as an unreasonable and unfair task master. Eventually, she just gave up trying. Her stubbornness and pride led her to miss the opportunity to learn from the experience.

While I would never be so presumptuous as to equate myself with God, I think many of us see Him similarly to the way my student saw me all those years ago. We want to approach Him on our terms instead of His. Rather than taking the time to learn how to live faithfully and obediently, we follow our own path and then don’t understand why we don’t feel more connected to Him.

Accepting God’s free gift of grace offered through Jesus marks the beginning of a lifelong process of growing in a relationship with Him. Author and pastor Eugene Peterson describes this journey as “a long obedience in the same direction.” That “o” word (obedience) is a hard one to accept in our culture today. Like my student, most of us want to do things on our terms. We pray hoping God will bend to our wills instead of inviting His will to be done. The idea of obeying Him doesn’t sound nearly as attractive as the free gift of grace.  Yet, the two were meant to go hand in hand.

Jesus taught His disciples about the importance of obedience saying: “If you love me, keep my commands… Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:15 & 21, NIV)

Years after hearing Jesus teach, John expanded on the importance of obedience by explaining, “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says,’I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:3-6, NIV)

The idea is that once we receive God’s grace, we show our love for Him by responding with obedience. Doing this makes His love complete in us over the course of a lifetime. It shows that we trust Him, whether or not we understand what He’s doing.

I’m guessing right now you may be wondering two things. First, how are we supposed to know all of the commands Jesus wants us to obey? Second, how can I ever follow them obediently when I still struggle with sin every day?

The short answer to the first question is simple: you need to read the Bible consistently. The more you study Scripture, the more it will study you. As you discover God’s plan for your life and begin to incorporate His ways into your choices, you’ll begin to surrender different areas of your life that you’ve been trying to control on your own.  As you respond to His Word by trusting Him and taking steps of obedience, you begin walking a new path that puts God in the lead instead of you. Make time consistently to study His Word intently, discuss it with others, wrestle in prayer over the things you don’t understand, and ultimately you will be changed by it.

Going back to the second question above, you may be wondering how it’s possible for an imperfect and sinful person to be obedient and walk as Jesus did. We can’t be obedient to God based on our own will power or good intentions. Jesus knew this, which is why when He explained the importance of obedience to the disciples, He also said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you…the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:16, 17, 26, NIV)

When we accept Christ, the Holy Spirit of God comes to live in us. He is our tutor, our guide, and our advocate. He gives us wisdom when we ask for it, He convicts us when we’re dabbling with sin, and He gently leads us in the way God calls us to go. He speaks to us through God’s Word, searches our hearts, and intercedes for us in our prayers (see Romans 8:26-27 if you’ve never heard this before).

God’s grace gives us access to Him for eternity but our trust and obedience are the keys to living the abundant life He intends for us now. Not surprisingly, there aren’t many popular songs today about the concept of obedience.  There is, however, a great old hymn called “Trust and Obey.” Click on the link to hear Big Daddy Weave’s version of this song and let the truth of the lyrics marinate in your mind.