How Do You Respond to God's Love?
When we love God, obedience flows naturally from our hearts.
What do you think about when you hear the words holiness and obedience? I used to think about it as keeping to strict rules, religious pressure, and the fear of not being "good enough" for God. I felt that to please God, I had to do everything in my power to obey Him. But I discovered that true obedience is not about earning God’s love—it is a response to His love.
God’s love is the foundation of our faith. He doesn’t love us because we are obedient; rather, we obey Him because He first loved us. And this kind of obedience is different—it’s not about fear or duty; it’s about a heart transformed by His love. When we understand this, we also begin to see that holiness is not a set of rules but a way of life that flows naturally from a heart devoted to God.
In John 14:15, Jesus stated, If you love me, keep my commands. When looking at the order, love comes first, then obedience. Our relationship with God is thus driven by love, not our religious traditions
Many of us get this backward. We try to obey first, thinking that if we are good enough, we will earn God’s approval. But God’s love is already given freely. We do not obey to receive love; we obey because we have already been loved beyond measure. When we love God, we naturally want to follow His ways.
Obedience vs Holiness
Obedience and holiness are deeply connected. Holiness means being set apart for God. Take a moment to think about this. You are set apart for God. Not for the world or your job or your friends. You have been put aside for God’s purpose and to show His character. He is pure, perfect, and completely set apart from sin. When we pursue holiness, we are aligning our hearts with His. And the more we align with His heart, the more obedience becomes natural.
A person who values health will naturally eat nutritious food. They don’t force themselves to—they do it because their mindset has changed. The same way, if your heart is devoted to God, you will naturally want to obey Him, not because you have to, but because your desires have changed.
Holiness leads to obedience because the more we become like God, the more we want to walk in His ways.
Obedience vs Love
God wants us to love Him. That’s why Jesus said:
“The greatest commandment is this: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
When love is the foundation, obedience becomes a joyful act of devotion rather than a heavy burden. So, it leads to peace and intimacy with God. Moreover, it leads to true joy.
If you’ve ever felt intimidated by obedience or struggled with holiness, take heart: God is not asking for perfection—He is asking for your heart.
So respond to God’s love through obedience. Start with love and show your love by spending time with Him. The more you fall in love with Him, the more you will naturally desire to walk in obedience. Then holiness is not a burden—it is a reflection of the God who has called you His own.
So goed Oom! Love die.