Whoever Has My Commands And Keeps Them Is The One Who Loves Me
God's Word Is Medicine To Our Souls
JOHN 14:21-28
“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
”John 14:21-28 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/jhn.14.21-28.nkj
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If one really loves Jesus, he will show it by being committed to Him, by obeying his Word, and selflessly serving Him.
Love isn't just kind words, or a feeling or an emotion. Love is an action of care for another. Real love for Christ brings commitment, service, and good conduct.
Furthermore, no one can obey God’s Word without taking it in and learning it. But when one makes the effort to take it in, real change will come into their lives. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
God’s Word actively works within us, changing the way we think, that over time we become more Christ-like in our character and ability to make good decisions.
Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ””
Matthew 4:4 NKJV
God’s Word is life sustaining food and no one shall live without it. The Word of God is life changing medicine to our souls, but like any medication, it cannot help unless you regularly take it in and digest it.
The disciples were still expecting Jesus to establish an earthly Kingdom and overthrow Rome, they didn't understand why He didn't tell the world at large that He was the Messiah. Not everyone could understand Jesus's message.
Ever since Pentecost, the Good News has been proclaimed in the whole world, and yet, not everyone is receptive to it. Jesus keeps the deepest revelations for those who love and obey Him, those who show their love for Him by their actions.
Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would help them remember everything he had been teaching them (JOHN 14:16). This promise ensures us the validity of the New Testament.
The disciples were eye witnesses of Jesus's life and teaching. The Holy Spirit helped them without taking away their individual perspectives.
In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us as we study the Bible and come to Him in prayer. We can trust Him to plant truth in our mind, teach us to discern God's will (see ROMANS 12:1-2), and to discipline us when we stray from it.
The end result of the Spirit's work in us, is a deep and ever lasting peace. This peace is assurance in any circumstance, that we have no need to fear the present or the future for the Spirit is our eternal guarantee (2 CORINTHIANS 1:22; EPHESIANS 1:14).
Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and other things are at war within us, but the peace of God in our hearts, restrains these hostile things, and offers comfort in place of conflict.
Jesus will give you that peace-peace that surpasses all understanding; peace that will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7), removing all that anxiety and stress that steels your joy and contentment.
My beloved, all you need do is believe.
But however, belief and trust can only come through relationship with Christ. You cannot put your trust in anyone you don’t know. Therefore my brethren, go in your room, shut the door, and call upon the name of the Lord, get into conversation with Him. Taste and see how the Lord is good (PSALM 34:8).
All glory to God forever and ever. Amen.
