The Relationship Principles of Jesus: Day 9

In chapter 9, the author deals with the theme "The Power Of Jesus` Command."  Given the name of this chapter, the first line states "You cannot command an emotion, but you can command an action."  This powerful statement is very important - you could try your best to command someone to be happy.  The truth is that you can only command an action.  To talk about this truth, the author uses the example of a grandma giving a grandchild a hand made sweater. 

Later on in the chapter, he transitions into the command given by Christ, "I command you to love one another."  With that command, he was saying "Act this way."  On page 90, Halladay states, powerfully, "Do you think that Jesus felt like dying on the cross? Of course not....In fact, the night before his death, he prayed in Gethsemane, .Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me.' In Jesus` prayer we see that he didn`t follow his feelings.  Instead, he prayed, 'Yet not my will, but yours be done.'"

To end this powerful chapter, the author talks about his dad and his fight with accepting Christianity.  The final paragraph in that section states, "Don`t give up on people; the minute you do, they`ll surprise you.  Don`t give up on prayer; God is doing so much more through your prayers  than you can see. Don`t give up on God`s promises.  You can have some dreams that are based on God`s promises; don`t give up on those dreams.  When you feel like giving up, choose instead to act.  Act on Jesus` command - and 'love one another.'"