In a recent interview, John Ortberg mused about the lackadaisical way American Christians often approach the concept of “discipleship.” We argue across denominational lines exactly what is required for salvation, and at what point a person moves across the line from “saved” to “unsaved,” but Ortberg points out that those debates miss the point. We are arguing about where the least-demanding, lowest-investment line exists that will allow us to enter Heaven. In other words: “What is the least I can do to satisfy God?” Is that really the question we want to ask?

Jesus never had those kinds of conversations with His followers. He never said, “Alright guys, I know you are really busy and have plenty of other things you want to do, so let’s just cut to the chase – here is the least you can do to satisfy Me.” On the other hand, He made it clear that life with Him was radical; revolutionary. And He never asked these guys to simply believe in Him. He told them to FOLLOW Him. And, (in these verses), to obey Him.

That does not imply, by the way, “salvation by works.” We are people of Grace, but Grace is opposed to earning, not to effort. You cannot earn your salvation, but that does not mean that God does not intend for You to obey. Three times in today’s verses, Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey me.” That is more than easy-believism. It is discipleship.

Today, let’s remember that God’s Grace is more than just forgiveness for your sin – it is God’s power in us to do what we could not do on our own. The offer to become a disciple is a gift of Grace. God is calling us to a life that requires Grace. So today, pray that God will do in us, and through us, what we could not do on your own. Pray that we will walk with Him, and obey Him, and show the world a different kind of love than it could see anywhere else. And when we stumble, let’s thank God that His Grace covers that, too.