Obedience (Part 1)
Freedom through limitation
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Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.
John 14:21 (ESV)
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A lot of people seem to get hung up on the rules of living the Godly life. “Don’t do this, don’t do that …”
Yet it’s the rules that give us room to flourish.
Have you ever walked through a big, well-maintained garden?
It’s beautiful.
But the gardeners have all kinds of rules and boundaries for the plants they place around it. Limitations on how much the plants can grow. Pathways where the plants cannot cross. Pruning of the bushes and trees, etc.
If they let it all run wild, the beauty would be lost.
Instead they place limits.
God places limits around us too. He doesn’t do this because He’s cruel — far from it! — He does this because He loves us. And wants to bring out the beauty in us.
There’s a famous quote from a former Navy SEAL, Jocko Willink, who says, “Discipline equals freedom.”
I know that the times in my life when I am most disciplined in my walk with God, I am thriving.
That’s no coincidence.
If I love God, then I will keep His commandments. And these commandments are for my good.
But there’s more to this verse.
We’ll tackle it tomorrow.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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