Secrets Of The Abundant Life - The Secret Of Obeying Is Loving

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                     "SECRETS OF THE ABUNDANT LIFE"

                     The Secret Of Obeying Is Loving

INTRODUCTION

1. In previous lessons I have endeavored to stress "Secrets Of The
   Abundant Life" which Jesus offers to His disciples, based upon His
   discourse in John 15 and related passages...
   a. The secret of living is bearing fruit
   b. The secret of bearing fruit is abiding
   c. The secret of abiding is obeying

2. But what is the secret of obeying?  The subtitle makes it clear:  

                    "The Secret Of Obeying Is Loving"

[To appreciate this truth more fully, let's consider the different...]

I. LEVELS OF OBEDIENCE

   A. THE LEVEL OF "FEAR"...
      1. Where we obey because we know what will happen if we don't 
         - cf. Ep 5:5-7
      2. Now, there is certainly a place for a proper "fear of the Lord"
         a. Which can motivate us to initially turn to God - cf. Ac 10:
            1-2,34-35
         b. Which can continue to motivate us in our service to the Lord 
            - cf. Php 2:12
         c. And which should certainly motivate us to repent when we 
            have disobeyed God - cf. He 10:26-31
      3. But the Lord would have us progress beyond fear as the only 
         motive for obedience
         a. Jesus indicated that He desires our relationship to be much
            closer and loving - cf. Jn 15:15
            1) A "slave-master" relationship is based upon fear
            2) But a relationship based upon "friendship" is what Jesus
               wants
         b. Fear, while proper in its place, can rob us of the real joy
            that God wants us to experience when as we obey Him
            1) Motivation based solely on fear buildings walls instead
               of bridges
            2) As John wrote:  "he who fears has not been made perfect
               in love" - 1Jn 4:18

   B. THE LEVEL OF "SELFISHNESS"...
      1. We obey because of what we know we will get in return
      2. This attitude was manifested by Peter on one occasion - cf. 
         Mt 19:27
      3. The difference between the level of "fear" and the level of 
         "selfishness" can be easily demonstrated in our children...
         a. Some children will obey parents to avoid discipline (the 
            level of fear)
         b. Other children will obey parents to incur favor (the level
            of selfishness)
      4. The sad truth is that many Christians never rise above these 
         two levels of obedience
         a. Some obey God only because they fear the Judgment
         b. Others obey God only because of the promise of eternal 
            reward
      5. But there is yet a higher level of obedience...

   C. THE LEVEL OF "LOVE"...
      1. This is the highest level of obedience
      2. This is where we obey God because we love Him, and will 
         continue to obey Him no matter what the circumstances or 
         outcome will be
      3. This is the level of obedience upon which Jesus wants us to do
         His will...
         a. "If you love Me, keep My commandments." - Jn 14:15
         b. "If anyone loves, Me, he will keep My word..." - Jn 14:23a

[Not only is "obeying out of love" the highest level of obedience, it is
also the secret to obeying...]

II. THE SECRET TO OBEYING IS LOVING

   A. GOD HAS ALWAYS DESIRED THAT HIS PEOPLE OBEY HIM OUT OF LOVE...
      1. So He wanted the nation of Israel to obey Him - Deut 6:4-5; 
         7:9; 10:12-13; 11:1
      2. And so Jesus wants His disciples to obey Him - Jn 14:15

   B. THE VALUE OF OBEDIENCE OUT OF LOVE CAN BE EASILY SEEN...
      1. While we may initially obey out of fear, or out of 
         selfishness...
      2. The key to continued and successful obedience requires that it
         be done out of love!
         a. Suppose things are going so well for us that we are not 
            mindful of God's impending judgment? - We are not likely to
            be motivated by "fear"
         b. Suppose things are going so well for us that we do not sense
            any need for things from God? - We are not likely to be 
            motivated by "selfishness"
      3. Only when we are motivated by "love" will we be faithful in our
         obedience in good times as well as in bad!

CONCLUSION

1. If we desire to truly enjoy the "abundant life" that Jesus offers, 
   then let us learn to obey Jesus out of "love"...
   a. For the more we love Him, the more we will obey Him
   b. The more we obey Him, the more we will abide in Him
   c. The more we abide in Him, the more we will bear fruit
   d. And the more we bear fruit, the more we will truly experience the
      "abundant life!"

2. Our next lesson, the final one in this series, will examine the 
   secret to loving

For the time being, though, can you say that you love Jesus enough to 
obey Him...? - Jn 14:15
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