God is the perfect parent.

He's unlike anyone we've ever known, and his love is unlike anything we've ever experienced before.

Imagine knowing your parent loved you perfectly, and that their intentions and motives behind

giving you direction was literally perfect loving.

That's how God is with us.

His wisdom and direction is something we can trust implicitly, because we can trust his

heart towards us. And that truth makes obedience a joy.

As we explore love-based obedience today, may your heart be open to the goodness of your loving

father. Welcome to the first 15 podcast.

For much of my life, I feared the thought of obedience, especially to the almighty,

all-knowing, and all-powerful creator of the universe. I couldn't seem to find a way to consistently choose him over myself.

I couldn't seem to be able to live for his affections over those of the world.

As hard as I would try in various seasons, I just couldn't be obedient.

What I didn't realize about God's command to be obedient was the process by which I could grow in obedience.

God will take our obedience however he can get it because he wants us to enjoy the incredible fruits of his perfect will.

But his desire is always to love us to a place that our obedience would be a natural overflow

of our love for him.

He longs for us to live a lifestyle of loved-based obedience.

John 1415 says simply, If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Jesus' words here are a promise.

If we truly love him, we will keep his commandments.

If we truly have love in our hearts, we can't help but be obedient to him.

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