Listen
SHAMA: hearing that always leads to action. Hearing and doing are one and the same.
James 1:22 Be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].
Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear [to listen] and come to Me;
Hear, so that your soul may live.
To truly love someone means to listen (shama) to them with deep, affectionate attention. Keeping God’s commandments is simply the visible expression of that listening love.
This is why Jesus says in John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
John 5:19 So Jesus answered them by saying, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself [of His own accord], unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever things the Father does, the Son [in His turn] also does in the same way.
I’m obeying OUT of love, not trying to earn my way into it.
1 Samuel 15:22 To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed than the fat of rams.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Heart of obedience: Your will be done no matter the cost to me.
Heart of rebellion: My will be done no matter the cost to others.
Luke 22:42 “Yet Not my will, but [always] Your will be done.”
Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Philippians 2:3-11 Do nothing from selfish motives, look out for the interest of others. Let the same attitude and purpose and humble mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus. [Let Him be your example in humility]. He carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even death on the cross! Because He stooped so low God has highly exalted Him.
Jesus humbled Himself in obedience, even unto death.
Pride? Humble yourself in obedience
Self preservation? Humble yourself in obedience
Fear of man? Humble yourself in obedience
1 Corinthians 15:31 …I die daily
Luke 9:23 If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself.
Deny- Utterly or completely turn away from. To utterly disown your own right to rule your life if you want to follow Him.