LOVE AND OBEDIENCE

JOHN 14:15

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Returning to our studies of John, we find a statement by Jesus, which at first glance appears to be wholly disconnected from the previous passages. But we believe that not to be the case. Just after discoursing on prayer, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments (precepts).” Probably not more than an hour before, Jesus had been telling the disciples that He has issued a new “precept,” to love one another (13:34). And then again in 14:1 and 14:11. Jesus speaks of the precept to believe in Him, that He and the Father are One. It would be perfectly natural, therefore, to make this statement about the need for love to express itself in obedience, especially in light of the forthcoming trials the disciples would face and of their need to remain steadfast to the teaching of Christ. Jesus knew how difficult it would be for them to stand firm and to keep His precepts, and this is why He would send another to help them. But more on that in later studies.

For today, let us simply consider this one verse, which carries with it such tremendous meaning for the Christian. Here we have presented to us that extraordinary relationship between love and obedience. This is reminiscent of verse 7:17 where the relationship between obedience and knowledge is set forth. There we learned that love, knowledge, and obedience all interact, one with the other. Sometimes love precedes knowledge. But sometimes knowledge leads one to deeper love. Sometimes knowledge motivates us to obey, while at other times we do not really understand anything until we exert our wills and obey our Lord.

Hendriksen writes that when you take into consideration the word studies of this passage, you could paraphrase Jesus’ statement as following: “If with love that is both intelligent and purposeful you love Me, you will accept, obey, and stand guard over the rules which I have laid down for the regulation of your inner attitudes and outer conduct.” In this sense, love precedes obedience. It motivates, enlivens, and inflames us to bring our will into conformity with God’s. To obey without love is merely cold formalism. We must endeavor, therefore, to obey not simply out of duty but out of sincere love for our good and gentle Lord.

CORAM DEO

Psalm 119:49–104

1 Corinthians 4

WEEKEND

Psalm 119:105–123

1 Corinthians 5–6

Another way of stating this verse is “If you do not obey My commandments, you do not love Me.” This is a sober warning in light of today’s licentiousness. Many people claim to love Christ but do not care a whit about obeying His precepts. Examine your own attitude toward obedience. Is it motivated by love for Christ?

For further study: 1 John 2:3–11; 4:20–5:5

WEEKEND