Freely Speaking - Devotional by Sharee Gaiser

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.

Today’s devotional was written and narrated by Sharee Gaiser.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 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.” (John 15:9-10, NIV)

I’ve always wanted to do the right thing. Obedience matters to me. But somewhere along the way, my motivation became distorted. Instead of obeying because it was right, I began obeying to be loved and accepted, measuring my worth by keeping the rules and making others happy.

Whenever I realised I had done something wrong, my instinct was to retreat and hide, weighed down by shame. Rather than running to God with my sin, I withdrew from Him. I feared I had disappointed Him and believed He must surely be displeased with me.

Recently, while meditating on Jesus' words in John 15:9-10, I found myself lingering over the words, “remain in my love.” At first, I read Jesus' words through the filter of fear. I heard them as "Obey so I will love you." But as I reflected on the passage, I realised Jesus was saying something altogether different.

Before Jesus spoke about obedience, He reminded His disciples that they were already loved, just as the Father loved Him. His invitation wasn't to earn God's affection but to remain in it. Obedience isn't the price of God's love; it's the pathway to abiding in it. As we walk in His ways, we experience the security, freedom, and joy of living close to Him.

God doesn't invite us into obedience to prove our worth. He invites us into obedience from a place of love. His commands aren't barriers to His affection; they are loving boundaries that protect, nurture, and help us flourish.

Perhaps obedience isn't about earning God's approval after all. Perhaps it's God's loving invitation to stay close to Him and experience the life He longs for us to enjoy.

Are you striving to earn God's love, or are you resting in His love as you learn to obey Him?

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