To be fully HUMAN — A Daily Reflection

 

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.  The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.  This is how we know we are in him.  Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

 

God’s love for us is unconditional.  However, every blessing and promise that God makes has a condition.  The problem is, most of us are so busy trying to obtain the blessings, we overlook the conditions God established for that blessing.  I used to live on the hope I found in Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."  But I was so focused on the "desires of your heart" part, it took me a long time to truly understand what "delight yourself in the Lord" really meant.  Because of that, I stayed continually frustrated since I never seemed to be getting any of those "desires of my heart."  When I finally did get out of the "me" syndrome, and began to focus on Jesus and what HE wanted, I began to receive blessings so great that I can’t even count them all, and am continually amazed at how good He is to me.

 

So, how do you get to the "delight yourself in the Lord" part?  Through close, intimate fellowship with Jesus.  In order to have fellowship with Jesus… that close, personal, intimate relationship He wants to have with us… we must be in tune with Him (1 John 2:15-17 NIV).  In order to walk with our Lord we must know Him.  The best way to get to know Him is through His Word, through fellowship with other believers, and through active participation in His Church.  If we are not involved in all three of these things, we will find it difficult to continually walk in the light.

 

God does not expect us to be perfect.  He knows we will sin.  However, He does expect us to try.  He does expect us to commit our lives to him.  He does want us to love Him.  He also expects us to be responsible.  Just because we are forgiven does not give us free license to do whatever we please…. Sin now, pray later doesn’t cut it!

 

So how can we know we’re tuned in to Jesus?  By listening to what Jesus said in John 14:23, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."  If we are walking in His will, we will know it, and it will show in everything we say, think and do.

 

Are you there yet?  Think about it…