How to Devote Your Life to the Lord

7 Day Series

Day 6: Obeying God’s Commandments

Scripture:

John 14:15 – "If you love me, keep my commands."

Reflection:

Obedience to God is a central aspect of devotion. In John 14:15, Jesus directly ties our love for Him to our willingness to obey His commands. It’s easy to think of obedience as a set of rules or restrictions, but in reality, obedience to God is a natural outflow of our love for Him. Jesus wasn’t asking for mere compliance but for a heart that seeks to align with His will because we love Him and trust Him. To truly devote ourselves to God, our love for Him must be demonstrated through obedience.

Obedience is not about legalism or trying to earn favor with God. Rather, it is a response to His love and grace. God’s commandments are not burdensome. They are given to guide us in the way of life, to protect us from harm, and to lead us into deeper fellowship with Him. When we obey, we are choosing to live in alignment with God’s good and perfect will. His commands are not arbitrary; they are rooted in His wisdom and love, designed to lead us toward freedom, peace, and fulfillment.

However, obedience can be difficult. There are times when God’s commands challenge us, when they go against our natural desires or the pressures of the world around us. Obeying God may require courage, sacrifice, and self-discipline. It might mean choosing honesty over convenience, patience over frustration, or forgiveness over bitterness. There are moments when we must make a choice: will we obey God’s Word, or will we follow our own way? But the beauty of obedience lies in the fact that it draws us closer to God. Each act of obedience strengthens our relationship with Him and reflects our trust in His character and His plan for our lives.

Obedience is also about trust. God knows what is best for us, even when we don’t fully understand His commands. We may not always see the bigger picture, but obedience is an act of trust in God’s sovereignty. When we choose to obey, we are affirming that we believe God’s ways are higher than ours, that He knows what is best for us, and that we are willing to follow Him no matter what.

Living in obedience to God also bears fruit in our lives. Jesus said that those who love Him and obey His commands will bear much fruit (John 15:5). This fruit is seen in the way we live, how we love others, how we respond to challenges, and the inner peace we experience when we align ourselves with God’s will. Obedience transforms us from the inside out, shaping our hearts and minds to reflect the character of Christ.

Ultimately, obedience is a reflection of our relationship with God. The more we love Him, the more we desire to please Him and follow His ways. It’s a continual process of learning to trust Him more, to surrender our will to His, and to live according to His commands. As we obey, we draw nearer to the heart of God and grow in our devotion to Him.

Action Step:

Examine areas in your life where you may be struggling to obey God’s commands. Ask God for help in these areas, and take one small step towards obedience today. It could be forgiving someone, being honest in a situation, or trusting Him with something you’ve been holding onto.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to love You through my obedience. Show me where I need to align my life with Your commands.