21/07/2024
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.
— John 14:23 (KJV)
A lovely promise that demonstrates the extent of God’s love can be found in John 14:23. Jesus is emphasizing our response here: We will keep His word if we love Him. It’s about a love that drives us to obey His teachings, not mindless compliance.
Our first concern as Christians is having a personal relationship with Christ. That is addressed in this section. Everything comes down to our individual decision to love Him, which is demonstrated by our deeds.
Now, some people may experience difficulty. All of us have moments of weakness. Grace enters the picture at this point. Through faith in Christ, one can always access God’s love and forgiveness. The problem is that you can’t use that grace as a justification for disobedience. A sincere love for Jesus will inevitably inspire a desire to follow Him. It’s a voyage rather than a final destination.
Let us endeavor to strengthen our love and obedience while keeping this promise close to our hearts.
Chosen by God