A COMMANDMENT

“These things I command you, that ye love one another.”

John 15:17 KJV

Joy comes from being in the presence of Jesus but we make our own happiness when we obey what Jesus tells us to do.  We read in the Bible “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17).  There are times that we cause our own unhappiness by being disobedient to Jesus.

Loving one another unconditionally is not an option; it is a commandment from Jesus.  How dare you and I go to a Holy God and ask Him to forgive us when we hurt Him if we aren’t willing to forgive those who have hurt us?  None of us are perfect.  All of us sin and hurt God at times. 

One of the things that has helped me so much in the area of forgiveness is a sermon a pastor preached.  He said “If you will make sure your own heart is clean before God, you won’t have the time to judge and condemn other people”.  My pastor was right.  It is a full time job making sure my own heart is clean.

Where would we be if Jesus had said He would never forgive us for what we did?  We would be on our way to hell with no hope of redemption.  However because our precious Saviour loves us unconditionally, He asked His Father to forgive us even while He was hanging on the cross.  What an amazing love!

Heavenly Father, forgive us for not always doing what we have been commanded to do.  Search my heart and if there is anything that hurts You, please let me know so I can repent and get my heart right with You.  I love You, dear Father.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 23, 2016