December 6

Love and Obedience 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 136:1-9 | Hosea 4:1-5:15 | 2 John 1-13 | Proverbs 29:9-11

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 John 1-13

“And this is love that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love” (2 John 1:6 NIV).

John makes several connections repeatedly throughout his letters.  He repeatedly connects love for God to our obedience—especially obedience to the two great commandments (to love God and to love our neighbor). “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome” 1 John 5:3.

He also repeatedly suggests that if we love God, we will walk in love toward brothers and sisters. Love for God will manifest itself in love for other people.

Here again, in verse 6, John reminds us of the connection of love and obedience to God’s commands. Loving God is the true motivation for obedience. We obey because we love Him. And to truly love Him is to obey Him. Every act of disobedience, then, comes from a lack of love for God.

Love for God is not measured so much by our words or our feelings as it is by our obedience to Christ’s command to love others. Do you love God? Are you demonstrating it by your obedience to his commands? Do you love others? Do you demonstrate that in practical ways–through action and truth, not just words? These are the true marks of love for God.

Father, fill my heart with your love and help me to love others as you do. Help me to make it practical—not just flowery words, but love in practical actions. Use me today to bring your love to others. Amen.