What Does God Require This Easter
This Holy Week has been a little different than I expected. Some planned events to celebrate the Passover were canceled. I did not participate in others [such as the wonderful event at Free Chapel Gainesville]. Actually, most of my thoughts this week have not been directly focused on the Crucifixion or the Resurrection of Jesus but more on His obedience. God spoke to me very clearly on April 12th about obedience--both Jesus' and our own. The following outline comes out of research I did after receiving that word [A few of the verses are printed out to get you started on your own investigation]. I have printed the word I received after this outline.
Part 1: Outline
Jesus said that He came to do the will of the Father.
- John 5:30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.
- John 6:38
Jesus did not go to the cross accidentally. No, Jesus laid down His life for us as a deliberate act.
- Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
- John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
- Ephesians 5:2
- 1 John 3:16
Jesus was determined to live a life of obedience to the Father. Jesus obeyed to show the world that He loved Father God.
- John 12:49 ESV For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.
- John 14:31
- John 5:30 ESV “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me”
- John 5:19
- John 4:34
- John 6:38
- Matthew 12:50
- Hebrews 10:7
God the Father sent Jesus to die because He loved us.
- John 3:16-17 ESV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
- 1 John 4:9-10
Jesus sacrificed His own life in obedience to the Father’s will.
- 1 John 4:9,10 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him…
- John 3:16
- Romans 5:8
Jesus died as an act of obedience to the Father.
- Luke 22:42 ESV Saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
- Romans 5:19
- Hebrews 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
- Philippians 2:5-8
God loved Jesus for His obedience.
- John 10:17-18
- John 15:9-10
God is looking for people who will demonstrate their love and trust in God through their obedience.
- John 14:23 ESV Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
- John 14:15
- Jeremiah 7:23
- 1 Samuel 15:22
- John 15:14 ESV You are my friends if you do what I command you.
- John 5:19
- John 4:34
- John 6:38
- Matthew 12:50
- Romans 2:6–11
- Genesis 22:17-18
- 1 John 3:21-22
I encourage you to look these verses up and meditate on them over the next forty days as we celebrate Easter and then prepare our hearts for Pentecost. As I look at this outline I am impressed by three things.
- First, although Jesus loved us He was honored by the Father because of His absolute obedience. Our salvation was provided by God the Father who loved us and by Jesus' perfect obedience. Jesus died for us on the cross, even though He asked the Father to remove that "cup".
- Secondly, we as believers are called to obey God. It is through obedience we demonstrate our love for Him. It is also through obedience that we are blessed.
- Thirdly, the idea that God loves us so much that He will put up with anything we do or say, that He will excuse any behavior because of Jesus’ sacrifice is a lie straight out of hell!
Remember:
- Matthew 7:21-23 ESV “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
- John 14:21 ESV Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
Part 2: Word from The Lord
The following word came to me on April 12, 2020:
The race of life is not to the fastest, to the “prettiest” [as the world defines it], to the loudest, or to the most flamboyant. The race of life will be won by those who love Me, and who keep My commandments. In other words by the person—rich or poor, of any ethnic background—who proves his love through obedience.
I am not swayed by empty words, selfish tears, or actions done merely to impress others. I do not care if a person is a politician, a tech giant, a minister, a farmer, or a person struggling with an addiction. I care about the heart--does a person have a heart of obedience?
Jesus obeyed Me in all things even unto death. How do you expect to be allowed to be seated next to Him and to judge the angels if you will not obey Me in this life?
It’s time to open your eyes and make your decision: Will you obey Me and walk in My ways, or will you not?
Do not deceive yourself. To decide “not to decide” is a decision in itself.
Be wise and listen!
Do the works of righteousness so that you might be welcomed with joy into the Kingdom.
To the glory of God
April 12, 2022
LL Watkins
*We can rejoice because salvation is a free gift for us. Jesus, however, gave his life to obtain this gift for us. So what does God require of us this Easter Season? The salvation that cost Jesus so dearly is free, but to walk in that salvation does come with a requirement.
