Prove It

“If you love Me, keep My commands.” John 14:15

John 14:15 is a verse that has been familiar to me for a long time; but recently I came to understand it in a new way. I have always thought that the verb “keep” was an imperative. This would mean that Jesus was giving us a command – if you love Me, keep My commands. I have learned, however, that this is not what Jesus is saying. Instead, the verb “keep” is in the future tense in the original Greek language. So translated literally Jesus said, “If you love Me you will keep My commands.” Do you see the difference? It is subtle, but so important.

Why is it important to understand this subtle difference in the tense of the Greek word, “keep?” Why does that small detail matter? It matters because it helps us to understand the relationship between loving and obeying. And Jesus knew that love is the motive for obedience, and obedience is the measure of love. He wants us to love Him before we obey Him, because He wants us to obey Him because we love Him.

If you are a parent, you can understand this desire of our Heavenly Father. How wonderful does it feel when our children begin to obey us not because they fear punishment, but simply because they love us and want to please us? There is no greater joy as a parent than to see our children begin to flourish under the protection of our loving boundaries. If we, as imperfect parents, delight in this with our children, how much more must our perfect Father do the same?

There are three main emotions that motivate us to do what we do. Fear says, “I have to do this.” Duty says, “I ought to do this.” But the highest and most fulfilling motivation of all is love, which says, “I want to do this.” Love is the root of our relationship with God. Obedience is the fruit of that love. “If you love Me, you will keep My commands…” not because we have to, or ought to…but because we want to.

God, thank You for the freedom to obey You. I don’t have to obey out of fear or duty because Jesus has paid the price for My sin and fulfilled every requirement for My salvation. Now I am free to love You because You are worthy…and to obey You because I want to honor You. In Jesus’ name, amen.