How well do you execute requirements? Are you eager to follow them? Or do you prefer to buck the system, to do your own thing? Would you like to have help in adhering to the rules? Are you seeking to know the truth? Do you know help is available?
There are laws, rules, and requirements in our workplaces, homes, cities, counties, states, and nation. Most of us try to follow them, but it can be challenging at times. We may not fully understand them or may not even know what all of them are.
Jesus simplified God’s commands. He knew that we cannot begin to remember the thousands of laws across our land. He also knew that legislating morality with a plethora of laws doesn’t work. He simply stated that we should love God and love our neighbor (Matthew 22:38-40). If we apply these two commandments to everything we do, our behavior, and the way we interact with one another, we will follow His commandments.
But loving others can be a challenge. People will treat us badly and do things we don’t like. We need help in carrying out Jesus’ commands. Jesus provides that help through the Holy Spirit. He states the Advocate is given to us. The Advocate not only pleads our case before God, asking for forgiveness, but helps us understand others so that we see them as God sees them.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. He reveals the truth of Jesus’ statements. We can only accept the guidance of the Holy Spirit if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. When we accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us. Our next task is to learn to listen to him.
I pray we all love God and love one another. I pray we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. I pray each one of us seek to hear and listen to the Holy Spirit as he provides guidance to us. Follow Jesus’ commands. Love God. Love your neighbor. Accept Jesus. Listen for the Holy Spirit.
John 14:15-17 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”
Marty Pressey 