If you love Me, you will keep My commandments (John 14:15).

In the scripture, “if you love Me, you will keep My commandments,” the Lord informs us of the power of His love (John 14:15). It seems that by relegating love solely to the emotional, we undervalue its power. The scripture tells us that “God is love” therefore true love has qualities of a divine nature that are both highly effective and enduring (1 John 4:8).

God’s love can never be manufactured by human means but must be appropriated by humbling oneself and becoming child-like. Being child-like is not a disparaging statement; it is an affirmation of the words of Jesus when He says, “truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Mark 10:15). We must live life as a child, and we will receive Christ’s eternal blessedness. Jesus says, “I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father” (John 14:31). Here, Jesus shows us that His love is tied to His obedience through which Jesus purposed that the world should see His God-honoring love by His acts.

Jesus’ ability to do the Father’s will is derived from God’s indwelling. One day, Judas (not Iscariot) said to Jesus, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” (John 14:22). Jesus’ answer seems to not answer the question, but makes the point powerfully when He says, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). Jesus’s answer connects manifesting Himself and love! If we love Him, He will reveal Himself to us and through us. It is amazing that through these few words we find the test and realization of our love for Jesus! Our love is seen in our obedience. Obedience is the outworking of our love for the Lord!

Pastor Don