Entwined Obedience

Posted on by Jennifer Arimborgo

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“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.  If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:9-10, NKJV).

First things first. Do you see the order here? This is of utmost importance. Before Jesus’ instruction to obey, came His instruction to abide. This is absolutely foundational. If we learn to abide, then obedience will be the spontaneous, natural result.

Take a moment. Sit back. Get into a relaxed position, ready to receive from God. Slowly read Jesus’ words again. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” Now close your eyes and marinate yourself in those words, asking for His Spirit to take them much deeper into your heart.

He loves you…

  • with the same degree of intensity
  • with the same fierce passion
  • with the same caliber of tenderness
  • with the same unbounded delight
  • with the same unbreakable covenant loyalty

…that Daddy loves Him with. And He invites you to stay there. To abide there. To dwell there. To live there. To make that unending love your atmosphere, your bubble, your home. Swim in it. Breathe it in and out of your lungs perpetually. Eat it. Drink it. Bathe in it. Float in it. Stay immersed in it. Never leave.

Then: “Keep My commandments…” If you follow Instruction #1, Instruction #2 will not be hard. In fact, Holy Spirit promises us, “His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3, NKJV). I will mention, though, there is a way that they could feel burdensome. That happens when we forget about Instruction #1.

If we remember, though…! If we abide…! If we live entwined with God, wrapped up with Him, snuggled into His bosom, then His commands are not burdensome. We learn a lifestyle of yielding to Holy Spirit. He flows through us and does the work. He cleans our hearts when they need it. He fills us with power. He loves our enemies through us. He puts goodness into our hands and kindness into our smiles.

Jesus gave Himself as our example. “…Just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” He is in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18). Entwined with Daddy, He lived His earthly life in this posture. From that place, Holy Spirit anointed Him to go about doing mind-blowing works and setting people free from the devil. He yielded, and Daddy moved through Him.

What a glorious way to live! And it’s for us too. This, no more and not less, is exactly what He’s offering us. So let’s be eager to learn, more and more every day, to abide… in His love.

“I love each of you with the same love that the Father loves me. You must continually let my love nourish your hearts. If you keep my commands, you will live in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands, for I continually live nourished and empowered by his love” (John 15:9-10, TPT).

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What are some things that have helped you along on your own journey of learning to abide in the Father’s love?

23 thoughts on “Entwined Obedience”

  1. I’ve come to realize I have a pretty reliable warning signal that it’s time to go and abide: when the smallest things begin to annoy me, I know it’s time to back away, exhale, and call to mind that which is most important. Sometimes it only takes a moment, and sometimes, when the stress is higher, I look for a time when I can disappear for an hour or two, just to regroup with Him and come back ready to go. — Mike

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      1. I have to credit my wife here as well. Mary can read me, and knows when she needs to give me that LOOK that tells me I’m in a wee bit over my head :} and the ol’ deacon needs to chill out. I am blessed; God is good.

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  2. OH! Jennifer, if I could just put into words, that which the FATHER, SON AND SPIRIT are doing each day of my life. Often, I can only pray in thanksgiving through my gift of speaking in the spirit. In moments unexpected, a burst of unfathomable Joy kicks in, then tears come to my eyes and I bow down to worship my God. Amen Len

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  4. Geographically far from family and most of my loved ones, I am blessed that Father God pours His presence over me – whenever I make Him my highest priority. What’s more, He’s blessed me with strong Christian companions who are actually all around the globe while holding me up in prayer. 💙💛💚

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    2. That is so beautiful that He communicates His nearness to you in tangible ways that give you the strength you need, Roo. I rejoice with you for that, and for the community He provides. Sending you much love from Peru! ❤ ❤

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  5. wow! Jennifer this resonates. ABIDING before OBEDIENCE. Clinging to the CROSS (CERTAINTY OF forgiveness and LOVE) makes following his Voice and obedience so much more life-affirming. Thank you.

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  6. It is wonderful reading your post about this place of abiding. This is a true art that in today’s world is hard to do if we don’t focus on Jesus, His life and how He accomplished it with all the demands people put on his life. Thank you for sharing this and encouraging all of us to abide, the place from which we draw strength and renewed vision for the every day.

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  7. Pingback: The Barnabas Award – Beloved, Forgiven, Holy

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