“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
These powerful words from Jesus aren’t merely a suggestion; they’re a profound declaration of what true love for Jesus looks like for all His disciples. In a world that often defines love by feelings or grand gestures, Jesus cuts straight to the heart of the matter. Genuine affection for Him is linked to our obedience to His teachings, which I touched on last week as being part of Matthew’s Great Commission. For us as Bereans, this verse isn’t just a theological concept to be discussed; it’s a challenge to be lived out daily.
Consider for a moment what this truly means. It’s far more than a casual nod to Christian principles or an intellectual agreement with biblical truths. Jesus calls us to a whole-hearted commitment, a transformation that touches every facet of our lives – our thinking, our being, our doing, and our proclaiming. This isn’t about legalism or earning God’s favor; it’s about a love that compels us to align our lives with the very will of our Savior and Lord.
Are we, as individuals and as a collective body, actively demonstrating this love through faithful obedience? Do your actions truly reflect a professed devotion to Christ? John 14:15 urges us to move beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment and into the realm of active application. It demands a changed lifestyle, one where Jesus’ commands aren’t just heard, but are diligently and intentionally applied to our daily decisions, our relationships, and our priorities. As Jesus also stated in John 15:10, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” Our obedience is a pathway to dwelling deeply in His affection; it is a vital part of our vertical relationship with Him.
Furthermore, the Apostle John reiterates this connection in his first epistle: “Now by this we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1Jo 2:3-6). These verses serve as a powerful litmus test for our faith, challenging us to examine whether our professed love for Jesus is genuinely reflected in our actions and obedience. Do those around us see our love of Jesus lived out through obedience to His commands?
This obedience, however, isn’t a burdensome task. It isn’t the OT law. It springs from a heart overflowing with love and trust in Jesus. We obey because we recognize that His commands are not arbitrary rules, but pathways designed for our ultimate good and flourishing, with His glorification. They are expressions of His perfect wisdom and His deep care for us. When we embrace this truth, obedience becomes a joyful response to His grace, rather than a grudging obligation. We see it willingly as removing the old and bringing in the new.
This loving obedience unlocks a deeper dimension of our relationship with God. Imagine the profound intimacy and guidance that becomes available when we actively pursue His will!
So, where do we stand as Bereans? Where do you stand? Are we truly living out John 14:15 through obedience, or just sprinkling a little Jesus into our lives where we want Him? Is there any area where your actions contradict your declaration of love for Jesus? Are you allowing convenience, comfort, or cultural norms to dilute your commitment to His commands?
