How can we ensure our obedience aligns with the heart of God's law? Opening Passage “‘All these I have kept from my youth,’ he said.” — Luke 18:21 What the Young Ruler Got Right • He valued God’s commandments enough to memorize and follow them. • His lifelong discipline shows sincerity and moral resolve. • He approached Jesus, recognizing Him as the ultimate authority on eternal life. Where He Fell Short • He viewed obedience primarily as rule-keeping rather than relationship-keeping. • His checklist omitted the inner surrender Jesus required (Luke 18:22). • By clinging to wealth, he exposed a heart not yet wholly yielded to God’s love. Aligning Our Obedience with God’s Heart – Start with Love • Deuteronomy 6:5: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart…” • Matthew 22:37-40: Love is the hinge on which “all the Law and the Prophets” hang. • When love leads, obedience becomes worship, not mere compliance. – Humble Listening • 1 Samuel 15:22: “To obey is better than sacrifice…” • Listening precedes doing; obedience grows from attentive hearts that ask, “Lord, what pleases You today?” – Spirit-Enabled Living • Ezekiel 36:26-27: God promises a new heart and His Spirit to move us to keep His statutes. • Galatians 5:16: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” • True alignment is impossible in self-strength; the Spirit empowers every step. – Full Surrender • Luke 18:22: “Sell everything you own… then come, follow Me.” Jesus pinpointed the ruler’s rival god. • Romans 12:1: Present your bodies as living sacrifices—total availability to God. • Obedience that costs nothing usually transforms nothing. Practical Steps for Today • Begin each day by reading a Gospel passage, asking, “What does this reveal about Jesus I can imitate?” • Invite the Holy Spirit to spotlight any attachment competing with wholehearted devotion. • Replace “What do I have to do?” with “How can I love God and neighbor right now?” • Keep short accounts with God—confess quickly, receive cleansing (1 John 1:9), and move forward in grace. • Serve someone anonymously this week; hidden acts train the heart to seek God’s approval over human praise. • Memorize John 14:15: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Recite it whenever obedience feels heavy. • End each day asking, “Did my actions reflect trust in Christ or trust in myself?” Course-correct immediately. The Result When obedience flows from a heart captured by God’s love, His commands stop feeling restrictive and start feeling liberating. Like the psalmist, we can say, “I delight to do Your will, O my God” (Psalm 40:8), living proof that alignment with the heart of God’s law produces joy, freedom, and enduring fruit. |
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