Foundation #2 God’s Instructions ARE His Love

 “He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.” Psalm 25:12b

God’s ways are the best ways but how do we actually walk them out? And why do our little choices matter?

Misconception: I was taught that God’s love was endless for me, so I thought what I did didn’t really matter. This was an incorrect understanding of the verse, “His mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). What I didn’t see then was that His instructions ARE His love.

How many times did I think to myself, “I’m going to forget God just for tonight and touch base with Him tomorrow. He understands, and He will forgive me in the morning.” Not knowing that what He asked of me was ONLY for my own good. And that what I wanted was ensnaring me and destroying me.

I learned when things are hard, and God isn’t coming in the way and timetable that I expect, that His love, grace and forgiveness do not mean that it’s ok to let myself give in to temptation sometimes. His abundant forgiveness and love is incomprehensible, but is not a license to sin (Romans 6:15-18).

I learned that God’s instructions are actually an aspect of His character. His instructions regarding sin are more than just rules – they are an aspect of His character – He loves us so much and His highest desire for us is to be FREE.

Do you hear the love in the heart behind this verse?

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11

Now, when I see the verses instructing us to flee from sin, all I hear is LOVE. Be free! Flee from things that will war against your soul and destroy you!

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18

“Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” 1 Corinthians 10:14

“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22

Ask God for a revelation of His love for you reflected in His instructions.

1. God’s instructions ARE His love. And they are not burdensome.

“And his commands are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:3b

2. God’s love aims to lead us into repentance so that we may live in the fullness He has for us.

“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:4

3. Our waywardness brings us pain, which Jesus came to heal. The very act of healing is an act of love.

“ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” 1 John 3:8b

“I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;” Isaiah 57:18a

“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely,”  Hosea 14:4a

4. We show Him we love Him by keeping His commands. It shows that we trust Him and we refuse to believe the lies of the tempter who tries to cast doubt in our minds about God’s character.

“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands.” 1 John 5:3a

Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
Psalm 25:4-5; 7-10

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.
Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Ps 32:8-11