Life Ministries

 “The Key To Trusting Is Loving”
1^st  John 4:16 – 5:3

    So far in this series from Jesus teaching in John chapter 15 on the “vine and the branches” we have learned that the key to maintaining and living the abundant life that Jesus came to give, is bearing fruit. The second key teaches us that the only way we can bear fruit is to abide in the vine. Then we found that the key to abiding is found in trusting, which is the foundation for obedience…The song says “Trust and Obey” or we could say “Trust THEN Obey” because it follows in that order. Today we shall see that “Love” is the key – or the motivation for – obedience.

    In order to appreciate this more, let’s first consider the different levels of obedience; First, there is the level of “Fear.” At this level we obey because we know what will happen if we don’t. In my opinion, this is a level that is missing from many families today. I used to tell my kids that disobedience will not be good for their “sitdown”!
    The level of “fear” can also be a motivator. It can initially motivate us to turn to God. Not to many years ago, the “fear of hell fire and brimstone” caused many people to turn to God. While there is a place for a proper fear of the Lord, this is not a good motivation for obedience or salvation. Fear can also motivate us to serve God, but I don’t think that is the attitude of “servanthood” that Jesus was looking for in his teaching. When “fear” is the motivating factor of obedience, it borders on abuse.
    In John 15:12 Jesus indicated that he desired our relationship to be much closer and loving; “My command is this” he said, “love each other as I have loved you”… He’s not looking for a slave, he’s looking for a friend; “you are my friends if you do what I command”…a friendship based on love…Fear can rob us of the real joy that God wants us to experience in the abundant life.
    The second level of obedience is based on “selfishness.” We obey because we want something in return. The difference between fear and selfishness is clearly demonstrated in children or the immature; Some children obey in order to avoid discipline and consequences; others obey in order to find favor and get reward. The sad truth is that many Christians never rise above these two levels of obedience.
    However, there is yet a higher level of obedience…the level that God desires… It’s the level of love. It’s at the level of love that we find the abundant life. On the shore of the sea of Galilee, Jesus asked Peter “Do you love me?”...and three times Peter answered in the affirmative. But, what Jesus was doing was trying to get Peter to the point of “Agape” love… The first time he used the word which meant “Do you have feelings for me?”... The second time he asked “Do you desire to be my friend?”... Then the third time he asked “Do you ‘Agape’ me?”... In other words, are you willing to commit your life and trust and obedience – in an unconditional love – to serve me?  At this level of love, we trust and follow and obey no matter what the circumstances or the outcome…motivated by love.
    Not only is love the highest level of obedience, but it is also the key to the true obedience that brings the abundant life. Suppose things are going so well that we are not mindful of God’s impending judgment…We will not likely to be motivated by “fear”;  Suppose things are going so well that we have no sense of need from God…We will not likely be motivated by selfishness. It’s only when we are motivated by Agape love that we will be fruitful in good times and bad…in all circumstances…at all times. We will be fruitful and faithful, and obedient because we are abiding in the vine! Here we will consistently experience the abundant life that Jesus came to give.
    The key to experiencing this kind of love motivated fruitfulness is found in “knowing”… The more we know him, the more we will love him…