How much do you trust God? Do you ever feel like you are stepping off the ledge when He asks you to do something that is not you?
Let’s read Hebrews 4:14-16 and 5: 4-9. How does Jesus help us hold firm to what we believe? What did Jesus face? What difference might it make to consider Jesus facing a struggle with similar roots? What is the invitation given in Hebrews 4:16? What is offered after the invitation? In chapter 5:4-9, how does this show the humility of Jesus and His compliance to the Father? Why is this a big deal?
Jesus went before us to fully obey God. He is our example. Jesus chose a life of obedience. In the following verses, they show Jesus going first when it comes to obedience. Take a look! Matthew 3:13-15, Matthew 17: 24-27, Luke 2:48-51, Luke 22:42, John 5:30, John 8:26, John 10: 18, and Philippians 2:8. Jesus consistently chose to obey. Why did He obey? He did this to prove Himself worthy of the Father’s love. Obedience comes from the essential motivation of love. Legalism comes from the motivation to impress or placate God. Legalism focuses on the law. This is not where we want to go. We want to stay away from this. We want to stay in the place where our motivation of obey the commands of Jesus because we love Him wholeheartedly. It about our relationship with our Triune God.
What was Jesus’ motivation according to the following verses? John 4:34, John 5:19-20, 8:28 – 29, 14: 30-31.
Read John 14: 15 and 21; Galatians 3:10. How do these verses speak to what our motivation should be when it comes to obeying the commands of Jesus? When Jesus went first in obey, he wasn’t alone. We can follow His example when we obey Him the way He obeyed the Father.
Are you ready to go on an adventure in abiding in Jesus? It will be the safest ride your soul will ever take. This is coming from a person that is not adventurous. Yet, my soul does get excited about God’s plan of adventure in my life. How about you? Are you ready??
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love. I pray that we will obey you out of our love for you and not to impress you with what we do.
In Jesus Name
Amen
