21 “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
Our Lord again reminds us that the manifestation of our love for Him will be in our obedience to His commands. Keeping Christ’s commandments is and always has been the best test of our love for Jesus. This lesson is vastly important for our own good and therefore one that we need to be continually reminded of. It is a steady obedience – walking in Christ’s ways – that is the proof of our being true believers.
“Holiness is not a feeling – it is the end product of obedience. Purity is not a gift – it is the result of repentance and serious pursuit of God.” Frances J. Roberts
Obedience is the evidence of grace in a life. This is not what saves us – our best works being full of imperfections - rather, Scripture states, it manifests our salvation. If we profess to love Christ we must show it with our lives. We are to follow our Lord’s perfect example of obedience to His Father. Head knowledge, good feelings and fervent emotions are useless if they are not accompanied by action. James, Jesus half brother, tells us:
14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. 20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? James 2:14-20 (NIV)
“Obedience to God is the most infallible evidence of sincere and supreme love for Him.” Nathanael Emmons
Just a few verses prior - in this same chapter – our Lord stated the exact same thing – albeit a bit more succinct. Repetition in Scripture is always given as a red flag – so to speak - to grab our attention - emphasizing its importance:
15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15 (NIV)
In the above verse Jesus was speaking specifically to His disciples yet in our verse for today He is laying down a general principal applicable for all Christians for all time. Obedience will always be the true test of love for our Savior – not head knowledge, not wordy assent, not heavy emotionalism but rather simple obedience to the commands of God. And, Scripture tells us, His commands are not burdensome rather they encompass life giving freedom and victory:
3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:3-5 (NIV)
Indeed, Jesus is quite clear in the Sermon on the Mount that obedience is the test He chose as proof of one’s love for Him:
21 “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” Matt 7:21-23 (NIV)
There are many blessings that follow obedience to our Lord’s commands for the believer not the least of which are mentioned in our verse for today. It behooves us greatly not to be careless or loose in our following of them. Jesus tells us we will not only be loved by the Father but He will specially love that follower, bestowing upon him ever increasing manifestations of His grace and favor – we shall know comforts and joys that mere inconsistent professors of the faith and the unrighteous know nothing of. It is certainly true that those who follow Christ more closely will obtain more of His comforts and peace and feel more of His presence and pleasure.
“There is more of heaven on earth to be obtained than most Christians are aware of.” John Charles Ryle
“If we want to be eminently happy, we must strive to be eminently holy.” John Charles Ryle
Surely, the promises in Scripture are not in vain when they proclaim:
14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. Psalms 25:14 (NIV)
20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:20 (NIV)