The Call to Love and Obedience: Catechism (Questions 42-44)
9th Wednesday of 2025: The Call to Love and Obedience (Questions 42-44)
Many people today equate love with tolerance or mere sentimentality. Yet, Jesus teaches that love is not just a feeling but an action grounded in obedience to God’s commands. He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). True love for God naturally expresses itself in a life of faithful obedience. The catechism teaches that God’s commandments are not burdensome but are given for our good, leading us into fullness of life (Q42).
Obedience to God is the evidence of our love for Him and our trust in His wisdom and goodness. It is not about legalism or trying to earn God’s favor, but about responding to His love with joyful submission. The commandments of God are summarized in the law of love: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This love is made possible by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live according to God’s will (Q43-44).
To dive deeper into this call to love and obedience, reflect on questions 42-44 in the catechism. They show how loving God leads to joyful obedience and transformation.
Transform Our Heart Through Prayer:
Father, help us to love You with all our hearts and to live in joyful obedience to Your commands. May our love for You overflow into acts of love for others. Empower us by Your Spirit to walk in Your ways and reflect Your character to the world. Amen.
Many people today equate love with tolerance or mere sentimentality. Yet, Jesus teaches that love is not just a feeling but an action grounded in obedience to God’s commands. He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). True love for God naturally expresses itself in a life of faithful obedience. The catechism teaches that God’s commandments are not burdensome but are given for our good, leading us into fullness of life (Q42).
Obedience to God is the evidence of our love for Him and our trust in His wisdom and goodness. It is not about legalism or trying to earn God’s favor, but about responding to His love with joyful submission. The commandments of God are summarized in the law of love: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This love is made possible by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live according to God’s will (Q43-44).
To dive deeper into this call to love and obedience, reflect on questions 42-44 in the catechism. They show how loving God leads to joyful obedience and transformation.
- Examine your life for areas where obedience to God’s commands is challenging, and seek His help to live faithfully.
- Let your love for God be demonstrated through actions of love and service to others.
Transform Our Heart Through Prayer:
Father, help us to love You with all our hearts and to live in joyful obedience to Your commands. May our love for You overflow into acts of love for others. Empower us by Your Spirit to walk in Your ways and reflect Your character to the world. Amen.
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Archive
2025
February
The Lord’s Messenger Prepares the Way: Malachi 3:1-3A Dwelling Place for the Lord: Psalm 84The Depths of Sin and the Grace of God: Catechism Q18-24Jesus, Our Merciful High Priest: Hebrews 2:14-18A Light for the Nations: Luke 2:22-40God's Call in Our Weakness: Judges 6:11-24God’s Faithful Restoration: Psalm 85The Call to Faith and Repentance: Catechism (25-35)The Gospel That Transforms: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11A Call to Follow: Luke 5:1-11Roots in the Desert or Streams of Life?: Jeremiah 17:5-10The Search for Happiness: Psalm 1God's Mission and Family: Catechism (Q38-41)The Fear of the End: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20When Sucess Isn't Enough: Luke 6:17-26Good News for the Broken: Isaiah 61:1-4A New Song for a Weary World: Psalm 96The Call to Love and Obedience: Catechism (Questions 42-44)The Question of Belonging: Romans 10:9-17When Doubt Creeps In: John 20:19-31
March
Reflecting God's Glory: Exodus 34:29-35The Holiness of God: Psalm 99The Grace of Justification: Catechism (Questions 45-47)The Greatest Gift: 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13Seeing Jesus as He Truly Is: Luke 9:28-36A Story That Shapes Us: Deuteronomy 26:5-11Sheltered in God's Presence: Psalm 91:9-16Sanctification: Catechism (Questions 48-50)The Security of Salvation: Romans 10:4-13The Struggle with Temptation: Luke 4:1-13Faith in the Midst of Doubt: Genesis 15:1-18Seeking God in the Midst of Fear: Psalm 27:8-16The Assurance of Salvation (Questions 51-52)Our True CitizenshipJesus’ Compassion in the Face of RejectionCalled by God in the Midst of WeaknessThe Boundless Mercy of GodThe Role of Scripture in Our Lives (Questions 53-58)Standing Firm in the Face of TemptationThe Call to Repentance and FruitfulnessLeaving the Past Behind
April
Tasting and Seeing God’s GoodnessThe Power of Prayer (Questions 59-62)A New Creation in ChristThe Father’s Heart for the LostGod’s New ThingSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyWalking in ObediencePressing On Toward the GoalRejecting or Receiving the CornerstoneThe Servant Who Brings JusticeA Prayer for Strength in Troubled TimesThe Gift of the Holy SpiritThe Lord’s Supper: Remembering His SacrificeIt Is FinishedMonday of Easter Week 1 – DevotionTuesday of Easter Week 1 – DevotionThe Church as the Body of Christ (17th Wednesday - Questions 73-76)Thursday of Easter Week 1 – DevotionFriday of Easter Week 1 – DevotionMonday of Easter Week 2 – DevotionTuesday of Easter Week 2 – DevotionThe Communion of Saints (18th Wednesday - Questions 76-83)
May
Thursday of Easter Week 2 – DevotionFriday of Easter Week 2 – DevotionMonday of Easter Week 3 – DevotionTuesday of Easter Week 3 – DevotionThe Forgiveness of Sins (19th Wednesday - Questions 84-86)Thursday of Easter Week 3 – DevotionFriday of Easter Week 3 – DevotionMonday of Easter Week 4 – DevotionTuesday of Easter Week 4 – DevotionResurrection and Eternal Life (20th Wednesday - Questions 87-91)Thursday of Easter Week 4 – DevotionFriday of Easter Week 4 – DevotionMonday of Easter Week 5 – DevotionTuesday of Easter Week 5 – DevotionThe Judgment and the World to Come (21st Wednesday - Questions 92-99)Thursday of Easter Week 5 – DevotionFriday of Easter Week 5 – DevotionMonday of Easter Week 6 – DevotionTuesday of Easter Week 6 – DevotionThe Lord’s Prayer: Our Father in Heaven (22nd Wednesday - Questions 100-104)Thursday of Easter Week 6 – DevotionFriday of Easter Week 6 – Devotion
June
Monday of Easter Week 7 – DevotionTuesday of Easter Week 7 – DevotionThe Lord’s Prayer: Hallowed Be Your Name (23rd Wednesday - Questions 105-108)Thursday of Easter Week 7 – DevotionFriday of Easter Week 7 – DevotionBricks, Towers, and the Longing to MatterThe Wild Wonder of a God-Breathed WorldThe Lord’s Prayer: Your Kingdom Come (24th Wednesday - Questions 109-113)When the Wind Spoke Every Heart's LanguageShow Us the Father, and It Is Enough