Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. John 14:21 (NIV)

In February, we looked at part one of this devotional, To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice.  Using Keith Green’s song by that title, we looked at how God wants our obedience, not our sacrifice.

The Lord wants every part of our lives dedicated to Him: our resources, our time, and our obedience to what God tells us in His Holy Word, the Bible.

We also looked at some tips to help us to give each day to Jesus. Some suggestions included: Scheduling time with God to pray and study Scripture; Application of Bible reading; Reviewing choices to insure they are in line with what God desires for us; Sharing Christ with others; and Obedience to God.   

I want to obey God, but I often make the wrong decisions. I want to spend time in worship, yet I plunge into projects or view social media or television without having given time to God. Before I know it, it is past time for sleep.

This past month, I’ve been better at choosing to spend time with Jesus rather than be distracted. I’m getting better at keeping my appointment to meet Him earlier in the evening or afternoon.

Posting verses where I see them helps me to recall what God is teaching me. It reminds me to put His commands into action. Reading God’s promises reassures me and helps me to claim them.

• What tools or habits help you to follow Jesus? Please help each of us by sharing in the comments.

We will have defeats and victories in our life-long journey of faith and learning to walk with God. The Apostle Paul lamented his struggle of wanting to do good and not being able to carry it out, and of doing what he did not want to do. Sin waged war with Paul, as it does with us. Paul lived a life dedicated to the Lord because he recognized that deliverance is through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 7:14–25).

Jesus connects our obedience to our love for Him. John, chapter fourteen tells us:

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me…” John 14:21a (NIV)

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching…” John 14:23–24a (NIV)

Thankfully, we don’t have to strive to obey God on our own efforts. If we did, it would not only be exhausting, but we would fail. We are given another powerful Helper!

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  John 14:15–17 (NIV) [Emphasis mine]

 The Holy Spirit will speak truth to us. Let’s look at one of the ways He will help us to keep God’s commands

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 (NIV) [Emphasis mine]

Wow! It’s amazing to think that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive and in us to help us live in dedication to the Lord!

Will we blow it sometimes? Of course. We still battle sin this side of heaven. Jesus knows this and He is our advocate and atoning sacrifice for our sins (1John 2:1–2).

Let’s kick out the accuser’s voice that tells us we can’t keep God’s commands, or that we need to be better and do more to be accepted by God. To obey is better than sacrifice—and we have God’s help to follow Him!

Lord, thank you for being my advocate, my Redeemer, and my source of power. Help me to faithfully follow you. Amen.

Thank you for reading my devotionals. I hope they touch your soul. Watch for additional monthly devotionals, and review past posts. Click on the date under the title to expand the text.

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Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan.