If you love Me, keep My commandments. 

- John 14:15 (NKJV)

Our love for Christ is proven and demonstrated by our obedience to follow His commandments.

We should never follow God’s commandments out of empty religious obligation, but out of our love for Him and longing to please Him.

He doesn’t ask for our obedience without empowering us to do so, because our love for Him and His love for us is what motivates us to follow His commandments.

“The love of God is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.” Romans 5:5

You have His love in your heart already as a child of God by the Holy Spirit Who lives in you. Yield to His love and He will empower you to obey Him.

When we ignore His commandments and choose to live in sin and give in to the flesh, we grieve His heart. He is hurt when we choose to reject His commandments.

This leads to an important question: Wouldn’t you always try your best to not hurt someone you love?

This means even when temptation to sin comes knocking on your door, you must stand against it and resist!

The more you grow in your relationship with God, the more your love for Him will grow.

The temptation of the enemy won’t stand a chance because your love for the Lord has become so strong and resilient, surrendered to the Holy Spirit.

When we truly love, we don’t have to strive to prove it. Truly loving someone comes naturally.

When we’ve had a revelation of God’s love for us and live in confidence of this assuredness, we don’t have to force anything.

As God’s love for you and your love for Him empowers you, you will never have to follow His commandments out of religious duty, but out of delight!

“Lord, thank you for your empowering love that is my greatest motivator living in me by the Holy Spirit. Help me to be mindful of your commandments and live my life in a way that pleases you. I want to follow you not out of religious duty, but because I simply love you.”

With Love,
Paper Sunday