In John 15:10 He says, “ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” In John 13:34 Jesus introduces a new commandment, that you “ love one another as I have loved you.” But in Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus reduces the weight of the entire Law to one essential element, the command to love.īy the juxtaposition of these two verses we hear Jesus in effect saying, “If you say you love Me, then keep my commandment to love.” It was a daunting list of rules to follow. What is the greatest commandment? God gave the Israelites a list of 10 commandments to follow, and many more besides. In John 14:15 Jesus says, “ If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
What are the greatest of the ten commandments? The following study on growing in love explains this a little more. As they grow in this place of security they will eventually come to a place of maturity where they will love the way He loves. It is my prayer that the intent of the song will not be misunderstood, but rather those who need to rest in the Father’s love will find a place of healing, and will simply come to Him knowing that they are accepted and loved just as they are. It is difficult to give a complete doctrinal thesis on this subject in one song. But preaching grace will always leave itself open to this misunderstanding, as Paul anticipated when he said, “What then, shall we sin that grace may abound?” I was careful to include this admonition as part of my exhortation at the end of the song, in an effort to ward off any criticism of this nature.
It concerned me that some people will listen to the song and think that I am advocating the erroneous teaching that says we do not have to worry about sin in our lives and just live how we please. I felt the theme of the song perhaps required further explanation, and so on December 8th, 2013 I preached this message as a follow-up.Īs the song developed I became aware of a flow of revelation concerning the Father’s heart of love for us and how gracious He is in allowing us to grow in this love, and not demanding of us what we have not yet become. This message was preached as a result of a spontaneous song and exhortation that came forth as part of a Sunday morning worship service on November 24th, 2013. When we have matured in love, we will love like He does, and keep His command to love. What then does God require of us? To the broken, the struggling, the hurting, the tired, the worn-out, the bruised and abused off-casts of toxic religion I say this: Stop beating yourself up.
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