Today's Passage:  John 14

This chapter is rich with information from Jesus.  We learn that He is going to prepare a place for us with the Father, that He is the only way to the Father, that He is the truth, that He is the life, and that he promises to send the Holy Spirit to his followers.  I would like to focus on verse 23 when Jesus says, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching."  According to Jesus, obedience is the natural result of LOVE!  And in the preceding verses, we learn of the many reasons we have to love Him.

We talk about obedience a LOT back here in the Kids Room.  Whether it's obedience to their parents, teachers at school, teachers at church...or to God, we discuss the importance of making the wise decision to obey.  We talk a lot about how those authority figures give us rules and instructions (as well as consequences and discipline) because they love us...which is absolutely true.  And really, we know that about God as well.  And we know that obeying Him is the wise choice.  I know I don't always view that obedience as a natural result of LOVE, however.  How much more exciting would it be if our obedience to Him was seen as a direct result of the love we have for someone who is going to prepare a place for us, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and who has promised to send us a Counselor!