“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15-21).
That can seem both obvious – and challenging.
Of course, if you love someone, you want to do things for them to show that love. You want to give of self because you love them. It flows naturally. It is self-evident. “Love is a verb” as the saying goes. (Note: it’s also a noun!)
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
John 14:15
The converse is also true: if you aren’t giving of self to another, it is probably an indication that there is a lack of love present.
But whenever we have sentences with “if” in them, we can get uneasy. It seems so…transactional. Standoffish. Perhaps even cold. It causes us to wonder if we are truly fulfilling that “if” well enough to meet the “requirement” stated.
“If I love God” – how much? I “will keep [His” commandments” to what level or extent?
And then we go on to see, “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me” (John 14:21).
But in that case, we’re the ones trying to codify a simple statement into a complex one. We’re the ones taking a statement of Truth and muddying it with conditions.
Love Jesus, and that will naturally manifest itself in willing obedience.
It really is as simple as that.
Love begets obedience.
Not out of fear; not out of obligation; not out of coercion. Out of gratitude; out of heart-felt desire; out of selfless yearning!
And the reason is simple: “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Jesus loved His Father, loved the world, loved us so much that He selflessly, willingly, lovingly, suffered, died, and rose for us.
And it goes on!
Because He loves, He obeyed; because He loves, He saved; because He loves, He sends the Holy Spirit, the Helper; because He loves, all things are accomplished, fulfilled, given!
Because He loves, how could we not love back?! Because He has sacrificed and given so much, how could we not want to obey and keep every good, Holy, loving, challenging, blessed, enriching, edifying, disciplining, gracious, blessed Word and commands He has given us!
And through all of that loving, we are not only blessed with a more abundant and blessed life, but we also receive the Holy Spirit for discernment and Holy living and the love the of the Father as well!
What is not to love here?! “Thank You, Lord Jesus, for showing us Your love through Your actions. Grant us a willing, gracious, and loving heart that responds in grateful, obedient actions. Fill us with the Holy Spirit – the Helper so that all we think, say, and do is in line with Your will, Your Word, Your commandments. In the precious name of Jesus do we pray, O Lord. Amen”
Scripture
- John 14:15–21
- Psalm 66:8–20 (Responsory)
