What Does God Deserve?

Part 1 of the Living Waters Series

Dear brothers & sisters,

Welcome to our first Thirsty Thursday, the weekly Living Waters series brought to you by Faith Worker Ministries!

None of Jesus’ teachings seem more appropriate to start with than what he called the Greatest Commandment. Quoting from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Jesus identified that of all God’s commandments in Judaism, “The most important is: ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength’” (Mark 12:29-30).

Of course, common sense tells us that this is true! But what does it really mean to love God with our entire being? How, exactly, do we go about this loving God business?

The first thoughts that often come to mind when we ask these questions may be worship, prayer, church attendance, etc. These things can all be good—even great! But isn’t it true that so often our “goods” and “greats” get in the way of God’s BEST?? So, rather than continue to rely on our own common sense, let’s look to the *uncommon* wisdom of our Lord for further guidance! John 14 offers some excellent clarification on what it really means to love Jesus & God.

Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey my teachings… The person who has my teachings and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him… If anyone loves me, he will obey my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and take up residence with him. The person who does not love me does not obey my words. And the word you hear is not mine, but the Fatherʼs who sent me” (John 14:15, 21, 23-24).

{More related verses here: John 15:10, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 5:3, and 2 John 1:6}

All throughout the Old Testament and into the New, we see God continuously trying to develop a loving relationship with His people. This relationship is two-sided: God provides, and we obey; we obey, and God provides!

So when God sends us His dearly loved Son, He tells us to listen up & start putting our faith into obedient practice of all that Jesus taught (Matthew 7:24-27). According to God, our obedience is evidence that we genuinely love Him!

In the rest of our Living Waters series, we will take a look at more of what Jesus has to say—his teachings, his words, which he calls on us to put into practice in John 14. With each new teaching that we apply to our personal faith-practice, we show God that we love Him, fulfilling His Greatest Commandment!

Until next week, may you seek to follow the Lamb wherever he goes.

Love & Prayers,

Luke & Allie

Faith Worker Ministries