Fresh Word Friday with JJ Hairston: Love Proves Itself in Obedience
We shout, sing, clap our hands, and praise God with our whole beings. But today, Pastor JJ challenges us to consider how we show our love for God beyond just praise. He says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” That’s straight from John 14:15, y’all!
He tells a story about his love for his wife, Trina, and how real love shows up in the choices we make when no one’s watching. There might be moments where temptation knocks, but love is what makes him turn away—not fear, not guilt, not even fear of getting caught. He says, “I stay away because I love her.”
Isn’t that what it means to love God too? We don’t refrain from sin because we’re afraid, but because we love Him. When you love someone, you don’t want to do what hurts them. The same is true with God.
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We often think worship is about the noise we make or how high we can jump. But Pastor JJ reminds us, “We don’t show God that we love Him just with our praise—we show Him with our obedience.” Jesus didn’t say, “If you love me, speak in tongues,” or “If you love me, dance around the church.” He said simply, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
These commandments aren’t just rules for the sake of rules. When we walk in obedience, God’s blessings chase us down. The Bible promises that obedience brings favor, while disobedience opens the door to chaos and challenges. Many of us misinterpret grace and mercy as permission to do what feels comfortable, but obedience is still the evidence of a heart that truly loves God.
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