Steven A. Bush - April 22, 2018
Loving Jesus Means Obeying Him

Many people claim they love Jesus. Many say they love Jesus but change their minds very quickly when they learn what Jesus actually said. John 14 records Jesus' words at the Last Supper: (V15) "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." (ESV) In the same setting (V21) Jesus says: "Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me." (ESV) To be sure they're listening Jesus reiterates: (V23) “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." (ESV) And John 15:10 just for good measure: "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." (ESV) Jesus leaves no wiggle room. Clearly He isn't saying we can earn His love through our obedience. No! That comes by grace which is unearned and undeserved. But our Lord is saying that as a result of God's undeserved love (grace), obedience should indeed follow. More than anemic words, obedience is the verifiable evidence that we truly love Christ. Do you love Jesus with more than mere words?