Day 6: Assumptions and Excuses
John 14:18-21
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 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.”
Jesus adds something very important in this passage when He says: "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.”
"Whoever" implies a condition -- those who love Jesus and those Jesus will love and show himself to. Not just those standing there listening to Jesus speak, but WHOEVER! That means WE will not be left as orphans if we have His commands AND keep them.
The word "and" is often a place where our assumptions can get us into trouble. We understand what Jesus is saying and agree with Him, but we are quick to excuse ourselves when we don’t keep His commands as well as we intend. We need to have the commands AND keep and obey them! Until you let go of your assumptions of obedience and excuses for disobedience, you'll never confess your sin and receive His forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Because the fact is, the only thing that is quicker than Jesus' grace to forgive is your excuse to justify yourself.
So today, let us confess our assumptions and excuses and receive His forgiveness for all our sin. He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness as Jesus comes not just TO you, but IN you -- assuring you of the Father's love for His adopted child!
Prayer Prompts:
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 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.”
Jesus adds something very important in this passage when He says: "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.”
"Whoever" implies a condition -- those who love Jesus and those Jesus will love and show himself to. Not just those standing there listening to Jesus speak, but WHOEVER! That means WE will not be left as orphans if we have His commands AND keep them.
The word "and" is often a place where our assumptions can get us into trouble. We understand what Jesus is saying and agree with Him, but we are quick to excuse ourselves when we don’t keep His commands as well as we intend. We need to have the commands AND keep and obey them! Until you let go of your assumptions of obedience and excuses for disobedience, you'll never confess your sin and receive His forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Because the fact is, the only thing that is quicker than Jesus' grace to forgive is your excuse to justify yourself.
So today, let us confess our assumptions and excuses and receive His forgiveness for all our sin. He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness as Jesus comes not just TO you, but IN you -- assuring you of the Father's love for His adopted child!
Prayer Prompts:
- Where are you most likely to make excuses when it comes to following Jesus and obeying His commands throughout scripture?
- things you've done and that you knew were wrong or contrary to God’s word?
- things you haven't done when God has been calling you to obey Him?
- thoughts you've had and entertained that are contrary to Jesus' teachings?
- excuses you've made that have kept you from confessing your sin
- Read 1 John 1:9 and take time to thank Jesus for His forgiveness and cleansing of all unrighteousness. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
Posted in 21 Days Jan 2021
Related Posts
Recent
Archive
2021
January
Day 1: The Fruit of the SpiritDay 2: What It Is NotDay 3: The Trinity - JesusDay 4: The Trinity - FatherDay 5: The Trinity - The Holy SpiritDay 6: Assumptions and ExcusesDay 7: Sunday SermonDay 8: The GardenerDay 9: Bearing FruitDay 10: Submitting to the ProcessDay 11: Abide in His LoveDay 12: Loving Each OtherDay 13: Vine and the BranchesDay 14: Grace and Truth Sermon DevotionalDay 15: When I Don't See JesusDay 16: When Pain Leads to JoyDay 17: It's All About Who You KnowDay 18: Take HeartDay 19: Jesus’ Priestly PrayerDay 20: Jesus' Priestly PrayerDay 21: Unity as One
2020
January
Day 1 God is HolyDay 2 God is UnchangingDay 3 God is LoveDay 4 God is TranscendentDay 5 God is OmnipotentDay 6 God is GoodDay 7 God is ImmanentDay 8 God is OmnipresentDay 9 God is our IntercessorDay 10 God is our CreatorDay 11 God is OmniscientDay 12 God is our Good ShepherdDay 13 God is FaithfulDay 14 God is our FriendDay 15 God is the Lord of the FeastDay 16 God is GenerousDay 17 God is Three in One (the Trinity)Day 18 God is JustDay 19 God is CompassionateDay 20 God is Lord of the HarvestDay 21 God is Coming King
March
Day 1: The Priestly BlessingDay 2: LeadershipDay 3: The Upper RoomDay 4: He knowsDay 5: Be StillDay 6: God's Presence In The Midst of TrialsDay 7: God Is In ControlDay 8: His WhisperDay 9: Our FatherDay 10: Wrestling with GodDay 11: God Is My ShieldDay 12: In His Presence Is JoyDay 13: The God of All ComfortDay 14: Sermon Reflections & ApplicationDay 15: Watch the WordDay 16: God is My Portion
April
Psalm 1Psalm 2Psalm 3Psalm 4Sermon Reflections and ApplicationPsalm 5Psalm 6Psalm 7Psalm 8Psalm 9Psalm 10Psalm 11Sermon Reflections and ApplicationPsalm 12Psalm 13Psalm 14Psalm 15Psalm 16Psalm 17Psalm 18Sermon Reflections and ApplicationPsalm 19Psalm 20Psalm 21Psalm 22Psalm 23Psalm 24Psalm 25Sermon Reflections and ApplicationPsalm 27Psalm 28Psalm 29Psalm 30
May
Psalm 31Psalm 32Psalm 33Psalm 34Psalm 35Psalm 36Psalm 37Psalm 38Psalm 39Psalm 40Psalm 41Psalm 42Psalm 43Psalm 44Psalm 45Accepted in the BelovedGod Dwells Within UsDying with ChristAlive Through ChristYou Are Not Your OwnAbide in HimFight the Good FightThe Blessing of ChristThe TrinityThe Blessed Third PersonHoly Spirit, All DivineLiving that Grieves the SpiritThe Spirit's GiftsThe Holy Spirit and the BelieverHearing the Voice of GodWhen Pentecost Came
June
His Power and SpiritLiving in the SpiritThe Light of RevelationJesus Also WeptWalk in LoveThe Mystery of PrayerReflections of His LightDo You Know Him? Cast Your Care God's Rest Christ our Servant The Temple of Our Bodies The Heart of Christ God's Hidden Meanings The Harvest of Following JesusIs He Your Heart's Dear King?Jesus our OvercomerEntrust the Little ThingsGiving Means LovingAbide in Your CallingOur Grit and God's GracePurity of HeartBeautiful Simplicity and Radiant LoveSincere Reverence, Joyful Informality, and Genuine HumilitySingle-FacedMarked by Christly FragranceDare We Expect Miracles Today?A Church ChurchItching Ears
No Comments