Love For Christ Shown In Love For His Words
John 14:23–24
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Thought:
Jesus gives a clear test of love. He does not say, “If a man loves Me, he will feel a lot of emotion during worship.” He says, “If a man love me, he will keep my words.” Love for Christ shows itself in loyalty to His teaching. When you love Him, His words matter to you. You want to remember them, honor them, and obey them.
This connects with John 8:47. The one who is “of God” hears God’s words. The one who loves Jesus keeps His words. These are two sides of the same reality. God’s children love God’s Word because they love God Himself.
Notice also the promise. Jesus says that when a person keeps His words, the Father and the Son will come and make their home with that person. This speaks of close fellowship, nearness, and shared life. Obedience does not earn God’s love, but it does help us experience His presence.
On the other hand, the one who does not love Jesus does not keep His sayings. That person may admire Jesus from a distance, agree with some teachings, or use His name, but in the daily choices of life there is no real submission to His Word. Jesus says this reveals a lack of true love for Him and of not being His.
So your relationship to Scripture is not a side issue. It is the issue of your relationship with Christ. If His words are heavy, unwanted, or easy to ignore, it is a warning light. If His words draw you, correct you, comfort you, and shape you, that is evidence that you love Him and belong to Him.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to love You in truth, not just in words. Help me to show my love by keeping Your words. Make Your commands sweet to me, even when they are hard to my flesh. Let my mind and heart be a place where Your Word is welcomed and obeyed. Draw near to me as You promised. Let my life display that I am truly Yours. In Jesus name, Amen.
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Thought:
Jesus gives a clear test of love. He does not say, “If a man loves Me, he will feel a lot of emotion during worship.” He says, “If a man love me, he will keep my words.” Love for Christ shows itself in loyalty to His teaching. When you love Him, His words matter to you. You want to remember them, honor them, and obey them.
This connects with John 8:47. The one who is “of God” hears God’s words. The one who loves Jesus keeps His words. These are two sides of the same reality. God’s children love God’s Word because they love God Himself.
Notice also the promise. Jesus says that when a person keeps His words, the Father and the Son will come and make their home with that person. This speaks of close fellowship, nearness, and shared life. Obedience does not earn God’s love, but it does help us experience His presence.
On the other hand, the one who does not love Jesus does not keep His sayings. That person may admire Jesus from a distance, agree with some teachings, or use His name, but in the daily choices of life there is no real submission to His Word. Jesus says this reveals a lack of true love for Him and of not being His.
So your relationship to Scripture is not a side issue. It is the issue of your relationship with Christ. If His words are heavy, unwanted, or easy to ignore, it is a warning light. If His words draw you, correct you, comfort you, and shape you, that is evidence that you love Him and belong to Him.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to love You in truth, not just in words. Help me to show my love by keeping Your words. Make Your commands sweet to me, even when they are hard to my flesh. Let my mind and heart be a place where Your Word is welcomed and obeyed. Draw near to me as You promised. Let my life display that I am truly Yours. In Jesus name, Amen.
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