“31 but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me.” John 14: 31
This verse is so profound in that Jesus is making it known that He did not come to do HIS will, but that of His Father. I find it amazing how Jesus Christ, God in the flesh took orders from His Father and lovingly fulfilled them all, even in death. Am I like that? Do I always do “exactly as the Father commanded me”? I am going to jump out on a limb here and admit that I do not. My attitude isn't always pleasant and words of encouragement and wisdom are not always on my lips. I struggle at times with “taming my tongue” and extending grace in all circumstances.
The first part of this verse is the reason for doing the second part. “But so that the world may know that I love the Father”. WOW!
If I am to “show the world that I love the Father”, then I must be obedient to the Word of God which are His commandments.
Being a Christian is not a walk in the park each day. Yes I have a joy that surpasses all understanding, but I have my bad days as well. I am learning though that I cannot allow my current mood to dictate how I behave.
Yesterday I was in a bad mood, for many reasons to which do not make my behavior acceptable. I snapped at my sweet husband a few times and I know that it hurt him. Does that show that I love the Lord? I should think not. It showed that I loved myself and was only concerned with me. In my bad mood I sinned and almost immediately I felt guilty.
We must always be aware of our moods and how we allow them to dictate our behavior to others. My desire is to let the world know that I love the Lord by doing “exactly as the Father commanded me”.
This is what James has to tell us about how we are to live in order that the world may know that we love the Lord. I am posting the entire first chapter as it pertains to the post. Please read all the way through.
“1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 9 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. 12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
In closing, I apologize to my dear sweet husband for disrespecting him and allowing my mood to dictate my actions. I pray that as you go about your day today, you will be ever mindful of your mood and actions. Do your moods and actions tell the world that you love the Lord?
Serving God and My Family,
Crystal <>< (SAHM)
1 comment:
Yes--consider it all joy--I have been learning about joy--and it definetly is related to a thankful heart--I have been looking everywhere everyday in everything for things to give thanks for and it has really changed my attitude (granted I do not have pms days to deal with!!anymore--but I feel if I had renewed my mind this way I would have achieved much greater success)--I find that when I fill my heart and mind with thankfulness I constantly praise Him and feel more of His presence in a wonderful way--this is part of doing His word and if we do his word and obey him we have that peace, you know?
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