In John 14:15 Jesus says, "If you love me you will obey my commandments". For as long as I can remember I have taken that to mean that in order to prove my love for Jesus I should be about obeying His commandments. I have heard that preached. I have taught that myself. Imagine my surprise when I got that rug pulled out from under me the other day. I was listening to one of my favorite preachers John Piper, and he mentioned this verse. He said, "I have heard that verse used so many times to say 'to love is to obey' that is precisely what it does NOT say....It says if you love me..something else happens, obedience!". When I heard that I groaned. Chains fell off me that I didn't even know were there! I have always kind of disliked this verse. Why? Because I have always misunderstood it! Jesus was not laying an obligation on his disciples by saying this! That's how it felt! How often have you heard this, "you know if you really loved me you would...." or "if you love the Lord then you should..." fill in the blanks. A million times right! That is NOT what Jesus is doing here! He is not laying a guilt trip on us or an obligation on us he is just stating a fact. If you love me you will obey my commandments. Obedience is a byproduct of love not a requirement. Oh how wonderful is this revelation! You mean I can just worry about loving Jesus and WATCH as obedience comes flowing from my life? Now the first commandment makes so much sense! All the law and the prophets hang on LOVE!!!
Oh let me love you More my Jesus! Let me love you more!
Amen
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