John Chapter 14

John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command." (NIV)

John 14:21 "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me." (NIV)

John 14:23 "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching." (NIV)

Yesterday I wrote about how obeying God (works) is a result of belief in Jesus Christ. This is sometimes referred to as "faith that works." The problem is that many Christians stop thinking at this point. But, John chapter 14 tells us there is more. Love.

Why is it that faith results in obedience? Because of love.

We do not obey God because we are compelled by the force of God's command. We obey God because we love Him. We obey God because we want to.

Love is a difficult word for Americans to deal with. We tend to only assign one meaning to the word love--a soft, warm fuzzy feeling--full of good thoughts about another person. We think of love as an emotion. This is not what Jesus means when he says, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." In this case love is an action word. It means to do caring and sacrificial things for another person. For example, if a person is in need of warm clothing and food, the Biblical way to love that person is to give them food and clothing--not a hug and words about how you feel their pain.

So how do you love God? By obeying God. By doing what God says to do. Feed the hungry. Clothe those who are cold. Take care of widows and orphans. And spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.