John 14:15, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”  

In the verses just before this, Jesus had shown His disciples incredible love by washing their feet, a humble act of service. He had also commanded them to love one another as He had loved them, and to place their faith in God and in Him. Now, He tells them what their loving response should be: to “keep my commandments.” This verse teaches us a powerful truth about what true love for Jesus looks like. It’s easy to think of loving Jesus only in our feelings or emotions. We might feel warmth in our hearts or passion in our worship, and these are wonderful. But Jesus makes it clear that true love must always be connected to obedience. If our love for Him doesn’t lead us to follow His instructions, then it isn’t truly the love He describes. 

When we fail to obey Jesus, it’s not just a sign of weakness or a mistake in our actions. In a very real sense, it can also show a failure of love. Those who love God most deeply naturally and joyfully desire to obey Him. It’s like saying, “I really love Jesus, but I don’t want Him to tell me how to live my life.” This shows a misunderstanding of both Jesus and what it means to truly love Him. 

The reason we obey Jesus is not out of fear, or to try and earn His blessings, or to make ourselves look good. The true source of our obedience is love. Our actions should flow from a heart full of love for Him. Jesus is not asking us to do strange or difficult things that make us look outwardly religious, like wearing unusual clothes or withdrawing from the world in odd ways. His commandments are about how we live our daily lives: how we treat others, how we forgive, how we serve, and how we trust in Him. So, let us remember today that if we truly love Jesus, we will show it by choosing to keep His commandments. It is in our obedience that our love becomes visible and real. 

(Today’s devotion was authored by Bro. Joshua Soliz, a LIFE Group leader and preacher at RBC.)