On this sixth Sunday of Easter, year A, Jesus says, “He who obeys the commandment he has from me is the man who loves me, and he who loves me will be loved by my Father. I too will love him and reveal myself to him.” (John 14:20-21). A child once asked the mother, "Why do I have to obey and do everything you say? The mother responded: “Because I love you!” “Oh,” the little child exclaimed, “Okay, I will obey and listen to you because I love you too.”
As human beings, two voices educate and evangelize us every day of our lives: the voice of God and the voice of the world. Where our heart is will determine where our obedience lies. The true proof of love is obedience.
My friends, the word of God is a powerful force that directs us toward what God has planned for our lives. Scripture says, “…eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, nor has it entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9). The word of God is the power that challenges all the radical evils that create disharmony within us, between us, and among us. It is the power by which we can command Satan and evil spirits to depart from our lives, from our children, from our families, from our marriages, from our place of work, from our travels, and from all the places, things, and people that cause brokenness in our lives. Scripture says that obedience to God’s word is what draws God Himself, and Jesus Christ, His Son, to come and live within us, and as the Bible declares: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” One of the greatest challenges to obeying God’s word is listening to the voice of the world, which offers empty promises and temporary relief in fulfilling the deep longing of the human heart for love, joy, and peace. If anger and violence reign in our hearts, if we have no peace of mind, or if jealousy, envy, hatred, and divisiveness is tearing us apart, it is highly probable that God’s word has not taken root in us. It is nearly impossible to have fellowship with God if we are not obedient to His word and commandments. It is only the one who is looking and reaching up to God that God reaches down to pull up to Himself. As Scripture says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw nearer to you.”
So, as Children of God, it is essential for us to test all our conduct against the word of God because when we do, we are equipped with the power to overcome the error. When we are tempted to do something wrong and while we are on the very brink of doing it, back in our mind comes a saying of Jesus, a verse from the Bible, some word from our parents or a loved one, some teaching we received from Church, that can help us step away from falling into sin and error. These are some ways God speaks to those who love and obey Him. Let us pray that God may grant us the humility to accept His word, to believe in it, to trust it, and live our lives by it.
