Heb 11:25  He chose to share the oppression of God's people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. So we can't always go on feelings. The Born Again Believer must not depend on feelings for spiritual direction. Feelings can and will disappoint us and cause us to live in error!

The only solid foundation we have for knowing the will of God is His Word! It remains the truth when we feel great and when we feel distressed and confused. There are a great number of divorces taking place based on simple human feelings! "Well we just don't feel the love for each other like we used to"! Feelings of deep affectionate emotional caring are great in relationships but this is not what determines love. Love is much more than emotion. Love is commitment! This absolutely true of our relationship with God. The Word is absolutely clear that if we really do love God then we will obey Him. Obedience is not based on feelings. We obey the Word of God when we feel good and when we don't. We obey the Word of God when it makes us feel good and when it doesn't. Lets face it, it not always the easiest must comfortable, or most convenient thing to obey the Lord! For Jesus obedience to the will of the Father cost Him His physical life. He suffered severely when beaten by the Roman soldiers. The Bible lets us that Jesus was so badly beaten, prior to His crucifixion, that he wasn't even recognizable! Isa 52:14 - Many were amazed when they saw him-beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person. Lets's not forget, the Lord doesn't exaggerate. Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered. (Heb.5:8) Jesus love for the Father superceded human emotion and feelings. This is how it must be with us!

        Jn. 14:21 - Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me.
        And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And
        I will reveal myself to each one of them."

        Jn. 15:10 - When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my
        Father and remain in his love.

        Jn. 15:14 - You are my friends if you obey me.

Jesus' purpose driven life was fueled by "love obedience". Jn. 4:34 - Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. Jesus lived His earthly life for His Father in Heaven! Jn. 6:38 - For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do what I want. How do we know Jesus loved the Father? Because He obeyed Him! How do we know if we really love God? If we love Him we'll obey Him at all cost!

There might not be any hoopla, bright lights or fan fare to our daily "love obedience" but in the end it pays off. Jesus said it was the wise man who obeyed the Word of God. It's like building your house on the solid foundation and when the storms of life are over the house is still standing firm. (Mt.7:24-26) To down play the significance and importance of obedience to God's Word and say well God's grace will cover our our disobedience is wrong and will end up robbing God's people of God's best. Jesus said, "Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as 'Lord,' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven." The decisive issue is not based on our feelings it's based on obedience to the will of God. We need to hear this in our day and we need to respond in a positive way towards what we've heard from God's Word.