OPENING THOUGHT (1)

LIVE THE LIFE

by Doug Watson

"If anyone loves Me, he will obey my teaching…He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching." John 14:23-24

Michael W. Smith sings: "For the world to know the truth there can be no greater proof than to live the life." Living the life is basically living in the way that Jesus has commanded us to in the Bible.

The verses from John 14 at the head of this article are the words of Christ the Lord, and they could not be any clearer. The proof of our love to Jesus is obedience to His teaching.

One sad fact today is that there are some people who think that they can pick and choose what they want to obey. Jesus says this is impossible. We either receive His teaching in its entirety or we reject all that He has said. Partial obedience has no place in the Christian life.

The old Negro Spiritual song was spot on when it says: " 99 ½ just won’t do!" It must be all or nothing. Jesus Christ must be Lord of all or He is not Lord at all!

Wholehearted commitment to His teaching is what is required of us. Let us rededicate ourselves to Him in obedience to His Word and "Live the Life."

Editors Top Ten Tunes from 1997

1. Tenderness - All Star United

2. Hope to Carry On - Caedmon’s Call

3. Beautiful You - Considering Lily

4. Circle of Friends - Point of Grace

5. Lord of the Dance (Abbey Road Version) - Steve Curtis Chapman

6. God is Believable - Sunday Drive

7. Consider the Choices - Clay Crosse

8. Wonder - Amy Morris

9. Hymn - Jars of Clay

10. Live the Life - Michael W. Smith