John 14:15 state…
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
These words were spoken by Jesus, and in chapter 14, they are not spoken once, they are spoken three times. It is something that I have been pondering on throughout the last couple of weeks, and for the amount of times it is mentioned in chapter 14, I believe the Holy Spirit intends for it to be on our minds.
Because of the sin in me, I, at times, resort back to attempting to earn the favor of God by working. Maybe if I do a really good job at spending time in prayer and reading the Word, and avoid certain things, God will be pleased with me. I have to remind myself that our works are as filthy rags before our holy God, as stated in the book of Isaiah. I also am reminded that when our starting point is work, and we expect all we need to flow from that, we are left feeling burned out and unsatisfied. We do not start with work, or obeying the commands of God.
Now, obeying God’s commands is very important, however, it is not where we should begin. Christ said that the obeying of the commands is the outcome of our love for Him. We are able to love because we have first been loved by God. The Father sent the Son to die on behalf of filthy, depraved, sinful people. Christ lived a sinless life, fulfilling the whole Law of God, than took on the sins of man, suffering and dying on the cross. He then rose from the dead, conquering sin and death, and has all authority. When we take the time to focus every single day on what has been done for us, what we do not deserve, then we will be happy to obey the commands of God. It no longer feels so much like stressful work, but we are being obedient, for it is the least we can do.
The evidence of a life changed by God is that we will obey the commands of God, found in His Word. It is therefore important to read the Word and go to church to know what we are commanded to do and to be constantly reminded of why we want to obey. I encourage you to spend a couple minutes every morning preaching the Gospel to yourself. Then, go out and obey and serve the Lord. To God alone be the glory.