DAILY DEVOTIONAL – APRIL 26, 2023 Obedience Out of Love By David Wilkerson

When I speak of our servanthood to God, some people protest. Would you remind me that you are a son, and not a servant? Then I would kindly remind you that Paul commanded the church,  “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-7, NKJV).  He could have come the first time with a sword on a white horse, trampling every foe, yet Christ chose to come as a humble bondservant, fully committed to his Father's interests. For a dedicated servant such as we are called to be to our Lord, there is no dilemma. This is what Paul meant when he said,  “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ.”  Paul’s decision was never in doubt. His master was his whole world, and he was bound to him with an eternal bond of love. He could not possibly leave his master or his house. A servant’s life revolves around his love for his lord, so Paul considered all else as “dung” that he might win the master. He was the kind who would be willing to be accursed if others could come to know the love of his lord. He valued intimacy with his master above any earthly blessing. Who cares for flocks, for corn, wine and oil, or any earthly wealth when you could have endless communion and fellowship with Christ? This is how Jesus told his disciples, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). In essence, he was saying, “If you love me, you will obey me.” Christ is enough! Nothing in this world is worth losing the sense of his presence. All the wealth and prosperity of the entire earth is not to be compared to a single day spent with him. The pleasures at his right hand far exceed any ecstasy known to man. To know him, to be where he is seated in heavenly places, is more than life itself. To serve him, to be led by him, to come and go as he alone commands is life on the highest plane. Love makes it easy to obey from morning to night.