The Secret to Obeying Jesus Effortlessly
Jesus makes a statement in John 14, a very eye-opening statement. He spoke this right before he was crucified. The crucifixion was a very hard decision for Jesus, because he knew the severity of the coming cup of the wrath of God he was to drink—the wrath of your sin and my sin.
One pastor once said something along the lines of, “Do we really think Jesus was afraid of the Romans’ lance?” How is it then that many of his followers willingly died for the faith under intense persecution? It was what was in the cup he was about to drink that troubled him. I don't think any of us could really ever comprehend the magnitude of that. But yet, despite it all, we see why Jesus chose to do it. He makes a statement in John 14:30–31, when he says:
“I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.” (John 14:30–31 NIV)
Jesus, somewhere in the Gospels, asked the Father if it were possible for this cup to be taken away from him, but then, since there was no other way, he yielded to his Father and said,
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42 NIV)
Jesus said so, he yielded to his Father. Why? Simple—because he loved him. That’s why in John 14 he also makes a statement saying that anyone who loves him will keep his commands:
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” (John 14:21 NIV) “Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching.” (John 14:24 NIV)
The conclusion here is simple: If you really love Jesus, you will obey him. From my own experience, it is easy to obey Jesus when you love him. It is easy to obey Jesus’ command on, say, loving your enemies when you love him and simply want to love those who hate you purely out of the love you already have for Jesus. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44 NIV)
Obedience to Christ ceases to be burdensome when you have him as your first love. There is a verse in 1 John that says: “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3 NIV)
So make it your goal to increase your love for Jesus, through time in his presence, through prayer, through asking him to increase your love for him in your heart in daily prayer, through knowing him, through reading his Word.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8 NIV)
“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17 ESV)
The more you spend time in his presence, the more you’ll grow in your love for him. The more you spend time with someone here on this earth, especially if that person is not toxic, the more you’ll grow to love them. With the Lord, it is the same—and even more. Because of the Holy Spirit, who is in believers. The Spirit himself will surely change your heart’s affections to be that for Christ.
