As Ricky took our breakfast order, he said, “Sorry, guys, things may be a bit slow this morning. A couple of people are out sick and I’m trying to fill in for them. Can’t be in two places at the same time!”
“That’s okay,” Stan replied. “Do your best. We probably won’t starve to death!”
As Ricky hurried away, Stan said, “Did you hear the Biblical truth in what Ricky said?”
“Biblical truth?” I responded. “He said some people were out sick, he’s really busy, and breakfast may be slow. What Biblical truth?”
“The part about not being able to be in two places at the same time,” Stan replied. “Jesus, speaking the words of His Father, had quite a bit to say about that.”
“Like what?” I asked.
“Merely as an example,” Stan replied, “in John’s gospel, Jesus is recorded as saying that if I love Him I will keep His commandments.”
“So?”
“To me,” Stan said, “this clearly says I can’t love God and not keep His commandments at the same time. I can’t be in two different places with God at the same time.”
Continuing, he added, “When I’m not keeping His commandments, when I’m not doing what He has for me to do, there is something wrong with my love for Him.”
“So,” I responded, “you’re saying that love and disobedience are two different places in my relationship with God; and I can’t be in both places at the same time. Is that it?”
“Exactly, my friend,” Stan replied. “When I find that anything in my life is not reflecting the obedience God wants for me, I need to examine where I am in my love for Him.”
Concluding, he added, “I need to examine where I am and if I find I am in two different places, or at least trying to be in two different places at the same time, I need to confess, repent, and get back to being in only one place. The place where God has for me to be.”
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If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your love. You so loved the world, including me, you sent Jesus to provide the way to you through His life, death, and resurrection. Thank you for that display of your immeasurable love. Thank you, too, for showing me what it is you have for me to do in keeping your commandments, and how my obedience is to flow out of my love for you. I confess I too often try to be in two places at the same time, saying I love you, but not keeping your commandments. Please forgive me. And please, Father, help me in following every step of your lead in examining my love for you as measured by my obedience. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Love for God and obedience to what He has for us to be and to do go hand-in-hand. Where are you in that? Does your obedience to God match what you say about your love for Him? If not, what will it take so you realize you cannot be in the two places of love and disobedience at the same time? If you realize that, what can be done about it? Are you willing to do that? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 