But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
1 John 2:5-6
Our world says, “Don’t sacrifice. Don’t serve. Don’t give.” It shouts, “Don’t love the unlovable. Don’t seek the lost. Don’t embarrass yourself.” It encourages, “Just care for yourself, and don’t worry about anyone else.” It screams, “BE more, DO more, MAKE more, BUY more, and STRIVE more!” It preaches, “Create your own happiness, seek comfort, and live a life of ease.” It whispers, “Some lives are more precious than others, and feeding the hungry is someone else’s problem.” And it is 100% contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ—100% WRONG!
If we listen to the lies of the world, we will never experience the peace Jesus promises. Only a life of obedience truly shows how deeply we love Jesus. If we claim to be His followers, the evidence of our genuine faith must be change—heart change and life change. Religious activities apart from fellowship, apart from an intentional, growing relationship with Jesus, are just empty rituals. “Living in Him” never involves jumping through hoops or checking off our weekly rituals of faith. That is not faith at all; that is legalism. And the people Jesus was the most critical of during His ministry were not those with no faith or those with the most sin. It was the legalistic Pharisees—the religious leaders who had countless rules and rituals in one hand, endless sins to avoid in the other. They even had rules to keep them from breaking other rules, but they had no genuine relationship with God. They only had hoops.
A life of obedience is a life that looks like Jesus. A life of sacrifice, service, and generosity. It is seeking out and loving those who are the hardest to love and those the world completely ignores. It is putting others first and yourself last. It is giving comfort to others, not seeking your own. It is a life of occasional trials that result in spiritual maturity, not a life of ease. And it is letting all people know that they are loved and treasured by the Savior of the World. So when you hear the world whispering or shouting it’s lies, ignore it. You are a follower of Christ, and your obedience demonstrates your love. No hoops necessary!
You are loved!