“And
I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I
speak just as the Father has told Me.”
John 12:50 (NASB)
Someadsfasdfasdfasdfone once described me as a
chocolate sandwich cookie—hard and crunchy on the outside but sweet and creamy
on the inside—ouch. The comparison hurt, but it was true. Keeping rules and
doing the right thing was evident to all; only a few saw my heart.
I admit that I used to view God
and His Word as hard and crunchy. All I could see was, “do this” and “don’t do that.”
I missed the soft center—the heart of God—and His affirmations such as, The Lord will accomplish what concerns me;
Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting... (Psalms 138:8).
Just like children enjoy scraping
off the creamy filling of a cookie and discarding the rest, we are tempted to
pick and choose the Bible words that suit us. We even avoid and censor some as “dirty” words. Yet, when
understood through the relational heart of a loving and gracious, heavenly
Father, these words may be celebrated and are just as tasty.
First, let’s consider the word commandments from Jesus’ grace
perspective. Grace lets us see God’s commandments as opportunities for the life
of Christ to be revealed through us, not merely as obligations to be dutifully
fulfilled.
Have you tasted the end result of
flavorful liquids vigorously boiled and reduced to a thicker, concentrated,
savory sauce, soup, or gravy? This process reminds me of Jesus’ suffering and
sacrifice on the cross that effectively reduced God’s commandments to two. Love
God wholeheartedly and love others as ourselves. His commandments connect us
intimately with Himself, and aren’t those of a cold, harsh, distant, and impersonal
dictator.
Those who adhere to the Law read
John 14:15 to say, “Keep My commandments to show that you love Me.” Jesus,
having fulfilled the Law so now grace abounds, said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. One approach
feels like a burden, while the other is a grateful response and feels like
freedom.
God’s commandments are life for
us—eternal life. Let’s delight in the whole cookie!
Heavenly Father, Because of Your love, I desire to heed all Your words,
including Your commandments.
Karen Sims
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