Remain in Him: "Love and Obedience" (Mike Young) John 14:15-31
Scripture References: John 14:15-31; Mark 12:28-31; 1 John 5:3-4; John 15:14; Revelation 2:4-5
Intro: Continuing our "Remain in Him" series from John 13-17, Jesus' final discourse before the cross, we explore John 14:15-31. Here, Jesus addresses the vital connection between loving Him and obeying His commands. Countering any tendency to separate love from action, He reveals that obedience is the natural language and evidence of genuine love for Him.
Key Points:
- Love Expressed Through Obedience (v. 15, 21, 23-24): Jesus states repeatedly and clearly: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." He tightly links heartfelt love with tangible obedience, making it a concrete expression, not just an abstract feeling. Loving the King includes allegiance.
- Avoiding Extremes: We must avoid two errors: claiming love for Jesus without obedience (shallow deception) and practicing obedience without heartfelt love (dead legalism, like Ephesus losing its first love - Rev 2). True discipleship integrates both: love motivates obedience.
- Obedience Isn't Burdensome (1 John 5:3): Following Jesus' commands isn't a heavy yoke (cf. Matt 11:28-30). Why?
- Love lightens the load (motivation changes effort).
- Obedience leads to victory over the world (1 John 5:4), and winning is joyful.
- We have the promised Helper, the Holy Spirit, empowering us (v. 16-17).
- Rewards of Loving Obedience: While not earning salvation, loving obedience results in profound blessings:
- The Holy Spirit's presence and help (v. 16-17).
- Experiencing the Father's and Son's love more deeply (v. 21).
- Deepening Joy (a fruit of being loved).
- Greater Revelation of Christ ("show myself to them" - v. 21).
- Divine Intimacy: God making His home with us (v. 23).
- Friendship with God ("You are my friends if..." - John 15:14).
- The Empowering Helper (v. 16-17, 26): Jesus promises "another Helper," the Holy Spirit, who will be with us forever, teach us, and remind us of Jesus' words. He provides the divine enablement ("grace upon grace") needed to live this life of loving obedience.
Conclusion: Jesus calls us to a relationship where love and obedience are inseparable. Motivated by love for Him and empowered by His Spirit, keeping His commands becomes not a burden, but a pathway to deeper intimacy, joy, revelation, and friendship with God Himself.
Call to Action: Examine your heart: Is your love for Jesus actively expressed in obedience? Reject any false separation between loving Him and following His commands. Ask the Holy Spirit daily to fill you with love for Jesus that fuels willing obedience. Where obedience feels hard, ask for the Spirit's empowerment. Pursue the deep rewards, especially friendship with God, that come from this integrated life.
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