"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
John 14:15
Part 1
“If ye love me.”
Where is the proof that we love Jesus? Surely it must be more than just the words coming from our lips, “I love you, Lord.” Just saying the words that we love the Master does not confirm that this is true. As they say, “Talk is cheap!” When it comes down to proving our love, how do we substantiate that our love for Him is real, that we do, in fact, love Him? Simply stated, love for Jesus Christ (God), is demonstrated by our obedience to Him. This kind of love is always an active type of affection (not passive). In our verse for today, this love for Jesus is potential love, unproven.[1] The evidence is in obedience. Jesus said,
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).
It is in the keeping of Jesus’ commandments that we demonstrate our love for Him.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me” (John 14:23-24).
The acid test for loving Christ is in doing what He says. The person who does not obey what He says, cannot say that he/she loves Him. Where there is genuine obedience to His Word, there you will see love matured.
“But whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him” (1 John 2:5).
What does it mean to “keep my commandments?” Tomorrow we will talk about that. See you then.
Quote: “Sacrifice without obedience is sacrilege”[2] (William Gurnall). (1617-1679)
[1] In the Greek text, it is a Third-Class Condition. It shows potential action. As this first phrase is accomplished, the second phrase will be accurate. Potentially, when God is loved, He will be obeyed. Obedience is the result of love. Those who do not love Jesus do not obey Him (John 14:24).
[2] William Gurnall’s quote, from A Puritan Golden Treasury, compiled by I.D.E. Thomas, Banner of Truth, Carlisle, PA. 2000, p. 199.