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“If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15 NKJV). When we speak about love, we often refer to an emotional feeling, something that moves our emotions. Love for another, ourselves, and even God often boils down to that which we feel. If my feelings are high, then my love is stronger; but if my feelings are low, then my love is weaker. 

In the Bible, love is an action. Jesus tells His disciples that the sign of their love for Him is how they keep His commandments. The same remains true today; our obedience demonstrates our love of the Lord, not our emotions.

Jesus’ statement to His disciples parallels Moses’ instructions to the Israelites: “Therefore you shall love the Lord your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always” (Deuteronomy 11:1; emphasis added). In the Old Testament, one showed his or her devotion to the God of Israel by obeying His commandments, doing what pleased Him. Action. Obedience.

The Bible is consistent in its message that we exhibit our love for God through our obedience to His commandments. Jesus asked His disciples, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). So, we not only display our love and devotion to Jesus by obeying Him, but we actually verify whether or not we truly identify Him as Lord, by our obedience. 

We demonstrate our love for God, not by announcing it to others, or what we say on social media, or how excited we get singing in church; no, we demonstrate our love for God in our obedience, and specifically by how we love others (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 7:12; 22:35-40; John 15:12). 

Do we see our love of God demonstrated in our pursuit of obeying Him? 

We live in a world filled with talking, but do we daily seek to allow our actions to show the depth of our love and devotion to God? Do we see ourselves as Jesus’ disciples in how we keep (or obey) His commandments? Jesus identified obedience as the evidence of our discipleship. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

PRAYER

Father, today I submit myself to Your will and commands. In everything I say and do, may I show the depth of my love and devotion to You. Amen.