Read the Word:
John 14:23-24
Meditate on the Word:
I have often heard people say, “You cannot be a true Christian and _______.” There are certainly many things that a true believer would not do, but many times statements like these are inappropriately used as a litmus test for orthodoxy. This is never more true than in the political arena. “A true Christian would never vote ______.” However, the only true test of being a Christian is given by Jesus here. “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.” We discussed during the Sunday sermon that keeping His word is not just about the outward appearance of not sinning. Keeping His word is having the inner attitude that wants to please Jesus. We keep His word in our thoughts and attitudes as well as our actions.
The inverse is also true. “The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words.” Certainly one can outwardly appear to keep the Lord’s words. The Pharisees were known for this. And there are a great many modern-day Pharisees, holding to the letter of religious teachings and insisting that others do the same, while having an attitude that contradicts Christ’s command to love God first and others as ourselves. But if we do not keep our Lord’s word first in our hearts, we are not truly keeping His words.
Pray the Word:
Confess any attitude that is inconsistent with Christ. Repent.
Leave a Reply