If You Love Me You Will Keep My Commandments

 Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “A Word of Encouragement for Village Church Planters.”  

Why do we obey our leaders?  Why do we obey our teachers in school?  Why do we obey an employer or a policeman?  What motivates us to obey those who have authority?

Many people obey because they are afraid.  Fear is the motivation for their obedience.  People are afraid if they do not obey the policeman, he will arrest them and perhaps put them in jail.  Some small children obey their parents because they are afraid.  They think they will be punished if they do not obey, so they do what their parent says. Students in school obey their teacher for fear that if they do not obey, they may be expelled from school or exposed to ridicule and shame.  Fear is a strong motivator.  Many, many people obey those in authority over them because of fear.

We are followers of Jesus.  Jesus is not just our savior, He is our Lord.  As followers of Jesus, why do we obey him?  Are we motivated by fear?  Are we afraid that if we don’t obey him, we will be punished?  What motivates us to obey Jesus?  

Jesus taught his disciples to obey his instructions.  He said to his followers, “If you love me, keep my commands.”  “If you love me, keep my commands.”  When Jesus said this He showed himself to be a very different kind of leader.  The leaders of this world motivate their followers by appealing to fear.  “If you do not do what I say you will be punished. If you do not do what I say, you will be put to shame.” Jesus did not use this tactic.  He said, “If you love me, keep my command.”

So the first question is, “Do you love Jesus? Do you love his teachings? Do you love the way he treated people? Do you love the way He gave himself up to be crucified so that you could be forgiven?  Do you love the way his uses his power and authority to bless others rather than to serve himself?  Do you love Jesus?  If you love Jesus, keep his commandments.  If you love Jesus teach the members of your church to love Him too. Don’t motivate them with fear of punishment or fear of shame.  Motivate them to obey Jesus because Jesus is worthy of their love. When we obey Jesus, we show our love for him. Teach you people to express their love for Jesus by obeying his commands.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.  

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