If You Love Me
Good day to each of you reading this column on a very timely subject in today’s times.
Before we begin, let’s start with some humor—
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember amateurs built the Ark… professionals built the Titanic.
“You can’t leave those who created the problem, In charge of the solution!
What’s the difference between Dubai & Abu Dhabi?
People from Dubai don’t like the Flintstones, but people from Abu Dhabi do.
In nine months, you could be hunting or changing diapers.
Make wise decisions this Valentines Day.
How beautiful it is to find someone who asks for nothing but your company.
“A man who correctly guesses a woman’s age may be smart, but he’s not very bright.” Lucille Ball
I don’t know who Taylor Swift is, but he sounds fast.
And, what do you call it when a snowman has a temper tantrum? A meltdown.
Yes, humor is the best medicine and I love to put a smile on someone’s face.
By the way, take a moment to ask your grandchild of a joke he or she heard and have them say it to you. Laugh along even though it may be corny and then bottle it up with all those other wonderful memories of having the time to spend with them.
Turn to the book of John, chapter 14 and verses 15- 23:
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
Who will be with you and I forever? The Spirit of Truth or The Holy Spirit which lives in each of us.
So, what does this have to do with the commandments—look back at Exodus 23 where the Ten Commandments are written with the words “You shall not.”
The Spirit of Truth or Holy Spirit is in each of us for Jesus asked the Father on behalf of each of us to receive this Spirit of Truth to be with each of us forever for to love Jesus is to keep his commands.
Jesus is our constant companion, our best friend, and, will never leave us nor forsake us for he says he would not leave us as orphans or abandoned to be left to the wolves.
What a friend we have in Jesus for he has advocated on our behalf to the Father and to have an instilled in us what is right and what is wrong.
It is so interesting that our conscious will tell us of the decisions that we make are either right or wrong and at times we listen and other times we tune out.
The Holy Spirit lives within each of us and speaks to each of us, but, we, in our sinful way will put self above else.
Look no further than Adam and Eve where both could have listened to the Holy Spirit but instead listened to the serpent, thus the downfall of man.
When breaking down the Holy Spirit: I am using the Life Application Version of the NIV which teaches these truths: he will be with us forever (14:16); the world at large cannot accept him (14:17); he lives with us and in us (14:17); he teaches us (14:26); he reminds us of Jesus words (14:26 15:26); he convicts us of sin, shows us God’s righteousness, and announces God’s judgement on evil (16:8); he guides into truth and gives insight into future events (16:13); he brings glory to Christ (16:14). Many people are unaware of the Holy Spirit’s activities, but to those who hear Christ’s words and understand the Spirit’s power, the Spirit gives a whole new way of life.
What a revelation! The Holy Spirit which is inside both you and me. Let us Thank God to have the Holy Spirit inside each of us and for the ability to ask him to guide us each day wherever we may be.
Now, with a better understanding of the Holy Spirit that John gives us in chapters 14, 15, 16—we can fully comprehend how the Holy Spirit dwells and works in us.
But less us not forget that whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. Be reminded that not all created has Jesus commands for there are many other religions that do not include the Bible teachings and there are those who do not believe in God. The conclusion is how can they obey the commands if they do not or refuse to believe Christ’s commands.
If you love Christ, then prove it by obeying what he says in his word—it is so easy to say that you love Christ, but without commitment and conduct then your words are empty.
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
When reading John 14:23, I am reminded of John 10:30 which says I and the Father are one. Also, John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
In closing, Jesus and the Father are one as shown in John 14:6 & double witnessed in John 14:23 which make other religions false.
Second, our first desire is to love Jesus by obeying his commands through commitment and conduct and; in return, God and Jesus will love us and will be with us always and in all good or bad situations throughout our life.
Third, the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of Truth lives within us forever, teaches us, reminds us of Jesus’s words, convicts of sin, shows God’s righteousness, announces God’s judgement on evil, guides into truth, give insight into future events, and brings glory to Christ.
This is the power of our Creator—Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
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