Introduction
“Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these? Yes, Lord, he said, you know that I love you. Jesus said, Feed my lambs. Again Jesus said, Simon son of John, do you truly love me? He answered, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said, Take care of my sheep. The third time he said to him, Simon son of John, do you love me? Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, Do you love me? He said, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said, Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Jesus also said: “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15).
To be a Christian doesn’t just mean believing certain doctrines or attending church. It means loving Jesus. And he asks us today what he asked Peter so long ago: “Do you love me?” Love is a response of the whole person. We know about Jesus with our minds and we should feel love towards him with our emotions. But we show our love by obeying what he commands – in the way we live our lives, the way we choose our priorities, the way we relate to other people, including those we find difficult or hurtful.
It is possible to be very religious, to know our Bibles and our doctrine very well and to live a good life, but to neglect that priority of spending time alone with Jesus expressing our love and growing in that love.
This section is about being devoted to Jesus and what that means.
If you have questions or comments, feel free to write to my blog site.
Devotional Resources
46 Articles and Essays Available in this Category
Articles are arranged according to subject and to whether they are:
1.
Short popular articles for the general reader
2. Longer popular articles for the general reader
3. More academic articles
where relevant
Teaching about Following Jesus
Short popular articles for the general reader.
- What Does it Mean to Know Christ?
- Innocent Until Proved Guilty
- God Won't Forgive Us If We Don't Forgive Everyone
- Blessed are the meek
- Doing the Word
- “Ever only all for Thee”
- False views of God
- How can I tell if it’s wrong for me?
- Self indulgence
- Supermarket culture
- Is self-fulfilment a Christian concern?
- Love – a meditation
- Love of money
- Materialism
- Normal Christianity
- Christianity is supernatural
- Charismatic Renewal
- Peace of mind
- The importance of the mind
- Preparing for Communion
- Should wives submit to their husbands?
- The more excellent way – a challenge to men
- Spiritual checklist on the Commandments
- The importance of the will
- The sin of gossip
- What is Celtic spirituality?
- A discovery of mercy (Summary)
- Coping with fear
- A critique of Christian songs
Teaching about Dealing with Suffering
Short popular articles for the general reader.
- The New Testament approach to undeserved opposition or oppression
- Dealing with bitterness
- “Patient in Tribulation” A meditation
- How can I know if I’ve forgiven or if I’m holding resentment?
Teaching related to the Church Year
Short popular articles for the general reader.
- Why Christmas?
- Is Christmas pagan?
- Jesus wants you for a sunbeam! (Epiphany)
- Do we really believe it? (Good Friday)
- I don’t believe it (Good Friday)
- He is risen (Easter)
- Jesus is victor! (Easter)
- The silent power of God (Easter)
- Christianity is supernatural (Pentecost)
- Cowards can become heroes (Pentecost
- Do Christians believe in three gods? (Trinity)
Devotional Teaching on God
Short popular articles for the general reader.
Teaching on Prayer
Short popular articles for the general reader.
