The Pathway to Holiness is Love

John 15:10

10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. (NIV)

Devotional Reflection

In today’s passage, the Lord gives us the pathway of holiness. It is not that obedience and love are in opposition to one another. Rather, love becomes the motivation for obedience, and obedience becomes the expression of our love.

We often wonder why we keep doing the things we shouldn’t and never start doing the things we should. The Apostle Paul struggled with this even at his level of maturity. We know we will never be without sin. The Bible makes this clear (1 John 1:8–10). However, as we mature, we begin to deal more with the little foxes, as Solomon would say. Speaking of vineyards, he said it is the little foxes, not the big ones, that ruin the vineyard. As believers mature, the Spirit often begins exposing not only the obvious sins but also the subtle attitudes and habits that hinder our intimacy with Christ. The little foxes become increasingly significant because they keep us from deeper fellowship with Him.

When we first come to Christ, the big foxes are often the overt and, at times, over-the-top greed, lust, idolatry, and selfishness that are more easily recognized. But with maturity, we begin to deal with the little foxes, such as not spending enough time in prayer and devotion or allowing the smallest impure thoughts to linger a second too long. But what is it that moves us past the easily seen, in-your-face sin to those things with seemingly smaller consequences? What moves us from the milk of being a newborn to the meat of a mature believer, from the big foxes to the little ones?

The answer is love.

When we first come to Christ, our obedience is often motivated by conviction, gratitude, and the understanding that God’s ways are always best. Our faith in Him helps us begin dealing with the big foxes. But to move beyond this, we must fall deeply in love with Jesus. We do not love a law, but when we understand that breaking His commands hinders our fellowship with Him and grieves the heart of God, we begin to deal with the little foxes.

Jesus Himself modeled this for us. He said, “Just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” His perfect obedience flowed from His perfect love for the Father. Likewise, our growing love for Christ produces a growing desire to obey Him.

The more we meditate on His love for us, seeking to know it more deeply and intimately, the more we love Him and want to honor Him. We do not want to grieve the heart of God with a rebellious response to the excessive kindness He continually bestows upon us. Because His commands are rooted in love, we find that the more we love Him, the more we obey and remain in Him.

The commands of God, however, teach us what love looks like. They prescribe the behavior of love so that we do not fool ourselves into thinking we love Him while continually choosing actions that contradict His will. The commands of God and love are eternally intertwined. If we want to become more obedient, we must spend more time meditating on His love so that we will love Him more. As our love for Him deepens, obedience increasingly becomes the natural response of a heart that desires to remain in His love.

Self-Reflection

• Is my obedience motivated primarily by duty, fear, gratitude, or love for Christ?

• What "little foxes" has the Holy Spirit been exposing in my life that may be hindering deeper intimacy with Jesus?

• How can I spend more intentional time meditating on Christ's love so that my obedience flows from affection rather than obligation?

Lectio Divina

Read John 15:9–10 slowly several times.

As you read, notice the connection Jesus makes between love and obedience. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where He is inviting you into deeper fellowship rather than merely better behavior. Rest in the assurance of Christ's love, and allow that love to awaken a greater desire to honor Him.

Prayer Prompt

Father, thank You for loving me before I ever loved You. Thank You that Your commands are not burdensome but are an expression of Your perfect love and wisdom. Help me to grow beyond merely avoiding obvious sins and to become sensitive to the little things that hinder my fellowship with You. Teach me to meditate on Your love until my heart delights in obeying You. May my obedience be the natural expression of a life that loves You deeply. In Jesus' name, Amen.