John 14:15 (NKJV)
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
Love and obedience are inseparable in the life of a true disciple. In John 14:15, Jesus does not say, “If you fear Me,” or “If you want blessings,” but rather, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Obedience, then, is not merely an external act, it is the natural overflow of genuine affection for Christ.
This statement was given in one of Jesus’ most tender conversations with His disciples, just before the cross. Here, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the kind of relationship they are to have with Him after His departure. He does not lay before them a long list of rules; He places before them a relationship, one rooted in love, expressed through obedience.
To obey Christ because we are trying to earn His favor is religious slavery. But to obey because we love Him is the freedom of sonship. His commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3) because they flow from a heart that delights in pleasing Him. Love transforms obedience from mere duty to joyful devotion.
Moreover, love-based obedience reflects a deep trust in God’s character. We obey not just because we must, but because we believe that His will is good, His ways are perfect, and His commands lead to life. When the heart is rooted in love for Jesus, even hard commands are met with surrender rather than resistance.
This kind of obedience also serves as a witness. A life that keeps Christ’s commandments out of love shines with authenticity. It is not staged or shallow; it is real. It demonstrates that Jesus is not just Savior in name but Lord in truth. It shows the world what it looks like to walk in relationship with the living God. When the world sees believers obey out of love, it sees a reflection of Christ.
If you find obedience difficult or your heart cold toward the things of God, don’t start by trying harder, start by drawing closer. Return to the cross. Remember His sacrifice. Rekindle your love. The more you love Him, the more naturally you will follow Him.
Confession: I love the Lord, and I obey Him from the heart. His commands are not burdensome to me. I live to please Him, and my obedience flows from my love for Christ.
