Spiritual Practices: Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. (John 14:23-24)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. (John 14:23-24)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)
Exploring the Text: The quality of love
In this passage Jesus is very clear about how we can prove our love for him. He says that if we love him we will keep his words or his commandments (depending on your translation). Our love is demonstrated by our obedience to his words. Conversely, Jesus also declares that anyone who does not keep his words or commandments does not love him. The quality of love is obedience. Without obedience there is no love. As we grow in our love for Jesus, we grow in our obedience to him as well. If we are not obeying him, if we are not growing in our obedience to him, we are not growing in our love for him.
So how are we doing in demonstrating the quality of our love?
David W. Dalton
In this passage Jesus is very clear about how we can prove our love for him. He says that if we love him we will keep his words or his commandments (depending on your translation). Our love is demonstrated by our obedience to his words. Conversely, Jesus also declares that anyone who does not keep his words or commandments does not love him. The quality of love is obedience. Without obedience there is no love. As we grow in our love for Jesus, we grow in our obedience to him as well. If we are not obeying him, if we are not growing in our obedience to him, we are not growing in our love for him.
So how are we doing in demonstrating the quality of our love?
David W. Dalton