Understanding and Obedience
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." John 14:15
The young Reformed pastor was arguing passionately with his senior colleague over a practical application of theology. On and on they wrangled until, finally, the wife of the older pastor broke in.
"You," she said, addressing their young friend firmly, "you are trying to understand with your head. Instead of with..."
With what? How would we expect the sentence to continue? With the heart? The emotion?
"Instead of with your obedience," she finished. "Understand with your obedience!"
We tend to think that we can't obey what we cannot understand. But Jesus never asks us for our understanding, only for our love and obedience. His "...sheep follow Him because they know His voice..." (John 10:4), not necessarily because they comprehend what He says. The disciples didn't, more often than not, yet gave their lives to Him.
[As told by LH, 2002]
The young Reformed pastor was arguing passionately with his senior colleague over a practical application of theology. On and on they wrangled until, finally, the wife of the older pastor broke in.
"You," she said, addressing their young friend firmly, "you are trying to understand with your head. Instead of with..."
With what? How would we expect the sentence to continue? With the heart? The emotion?
"Instead of with your obedience," she finished. "Understand with your obedience!"
We tend to think that we can't obey what we cannot understand. But Jesus never asks us for our understanding, only for our love and obedience. His "...sheep follow Him because they know His voice..." (John 10:4), not necessarily because they comprehend what He says. The disciples didn't, more often than not, yet gave their lives to Him.
[As told by LH, 2002]
posted by CS at 1:08 PM
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