The last of my selected verses on Obedience is 2 John 1:6 “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.”

God spoke to Solomon in a dream and said if he walked in His commands he would be blessed with a long life. 1 Kings 3:14 “And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” Later in 1 Kings 11:38, God told Solomon, “If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right in my eyes by obeying my decrees and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you.” Here God says walking in His commands would result in a generational legacy of faith. Both of these are benefits of walking with God and following His pathway, His truth, His Word in our lives. The Apostle John adds something else to obedience in 2 John 1:6. He says that walking in God’s ways, keeping His commands is a walk of LOVE. This love is not only towards God but towards all those that live in and around us. Our perspective on life is to be one of love. Jesus explained this in Matthew 22:36-39  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

When one is seeking to live in obedience to God’s Word by following His commands, our first priority is to love God! Our love should be all encompassing in that it involves our heart, soul and mind- our whole being. God wants all of us not just a portion. What would that look like in our lives? Being sincere about our commitment to God and the practice of being involved in Bible Study, prayer and worship. Ask yourself, why do I do what I do? Is it out of love for God? If our motivation is out of love, it will flow and help us commune with God on a new level and totally immerse us in His love. If it is not done our of love for God, it will be a constant struggle and stain on our lives.

The second priority for walking with Jesus in love is to love others. John states this in 2 John 1:6 ‘his command is for you to walk in love.’ I love John 13:34-35 where Jesus tell us, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The love Jesus is talking about here is sacrificial love for one another. What would walking in love sacrificially look like in your life? Would it mean going the extra mile to help someone in need? Would it mean speaking to a stranger or friend about the love of Jesus? Would you mean praying diligently for those who are lost, hurting or seeking God’s help in their lives?

Obedience is not just giving lip service to God and his commands but LIVING Them in LOVE. The blessings of living a life of love is brought back to you in abundance. You are at peace in your heart, mind and soul and you can and will experience God’s blessing of a life lived for Him and be leaving a legacy of faith behind you.

Linda