Many people think that Christianity is all about following a set of rules; that behavioral obedience is the foundation of the Gospel. But what if I told you that your behavior, your obedience, and your righteous works are all the manifestations of something greater; something deeper? What if I told you that if your focus is your behavior, then you have lost sight of the teaching of Christ? Don't turn away just yet, I will explain. It has been a common misconception that those who become Christians are dragged kicking and screaming into a lifetime of striving to keep the rules of God. Apparently, this way of thinking says, "Your works didn't save you, but your works will now keep you saved." It is as if Jesus handed us a list as soon as we said yes and said, "You better do this or you are out!" While I do believe that God has a certain way of living and has things He wants us to accomplish, I do not believe that a Christian's sole duty is to focus on His laws or our works. The Pharisees were very good at memorizing laws. They knew the Bible and could quote it on cue. However, they missed the very Messiah that their beloved book prophesied about. They kept the commandments and memorized the laws, but when the Author Himself stepped into their world, They had no idea who He was. Instead, they called Him the devil and hung Him on a cross. Don't take me the wrong way. I believe that the Bible is the infallible, life-giving word of God, intricately designed to teach us the ways of the Kingdom and reveal Jesus Christ, the exact image of the Father's perfect nature. The issue I have is when we read the Bible as a rulebook to follow rather than a love letter to enjoy. I have come to a place of believing that everything He writes is to draw me closer to Him. The purpose of the Bible is to get to know the Author. It is in that place of knowing Him that I am able to keep every commandment within His book. His written words are a personal invitation to encounter His amazing presence. In Matthew 7, Jesus says this, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness (Matthew 7:21-23)." Honestly, these verses once scared me. But since then I have learned that if the Word is bringing anxiety on me it is because I am misinterpreting His words of hope. Everything Jesus speaks is purposed to give me life. At first glance, it seemed to me as if Jesus was insinuating that I wasn't doing enough. Many people have likewise viewed this verse through a lens of fear, going through life hoping that their actions were good enough for God. Now I see it differently and, because of that, have experienced the true freedom Jesus was releasing through His words. Jesus is revealing that knowing Him is the birthplace of everything. His focus is not the list of accomplishments of men, it is whether or not they chose to connect with His heart. Life is not about living for the list, it is about living from love. When we love God, it is inevitable that the way we live will coincide with His way of life. Three times in John 14 Jesus said, "If you love me you will obey my commandments (John 14:15, 14:21, 14:23)." It sounds like Jesus is giving another commandment, but He is instead revealing this truth: If you truly love Jesus you are going to do what He says. Keeping His commandments is the fruit of a loving relationship with Him, not the requirement to receive His love. If that were the case we couldn't really call His love unconditional. Thank God that His love has nothing to do with our obedience. Even if I chose to do nothing for Him the rest of my life, His love would remain the same. It does not grow according to our actions. Imagine if my wife gave me a list of chores and said, "Do these or I'm leaving you." I would probably question the nature of our relationship. Love does not require a list. Jesus isn't threatening us with a catalog of commandments, He is inviting us into a relationship of unconditional love. Because I love Jesus, I want to do what He says. Because I love my wife, I want to do chores for her. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). Commandments only become a burden when I try to keep them without loving Him. It is the starting place of love that empowers me to do all He is asking. When we focus on the list we lose sight of love. But when we focus on love, the list comes naturally. God loves you more than you think. He is extending a personal invitation to know Him, therefore transforming the way you think, live, and operate. Will you accept His invitation?