Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
—John 14:23 (KJV)
At many Christian funerals and memorials, the preacher emphasizes that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us to join him in heaven, but will one day come back for us and bring us home with him (John 14:1-3). Just a few verses later, the LORD deepens his promise. He promises that if we love him and obey him, he will love us and reveal himself to us (John 14:21). On top of that, he and the Father will love us and make their home in us until we can go home to be with them (John 14:23). As we love God and obey Jesus' commandments, our relationship, closeness, and experience of God's presence as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, deepens because they live inside us - make their home with us. Obeying Jesus' teaching is our pathway to a closer walk with God!
Holy God, I know Jesus came to earth and obeyed your will. Please bless me with the discernment I need to fully obey you. I desire that my obedience will not just be the strict obedience of your words, but a deep longing to live according to your will. I long to honor you because you have done so much to save me. Thank you. In Jesus' name I thank and praise you. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—John 14:23 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
At many Christian funerals and memorials, the preacher emphasizes that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us to join him in heaven, but will one day come back for us and bring us home with him (John 14:1-3). Just a few verses later, the LORD deepens his promise. He promises that if we love him and obey him, he will love us and reveal himself to us (John 14:21). On top of that, he and the Father will love us and make their home in us until we can go home to be with them (John 14:23). As we love God and obey Jesus' commandments, our relationship, closeness, and experience of God's presence as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, deepens because they live inside us - make their home with us. Obeying Jesus' teaching is our pathway to a closer walk with God!
My Prayer...
Holy God, I know Jesus came to earth and obeyed your will. Please bless me with the discernment I need to fully obey you. I desire that my obedience will not just be the strict obedience of your words, but a deep longing to live according to your will. I long to honor you because you have done so much to save me. Thank you. In Jesus' name I thank and praise you. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
