The apostle John wrote how Jesus' disciple Philip said to Jesus, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it”, and in chapter fourteen and verse fifteen of his book John shared how Jesus said, “if you love me, keep my commandments”, where we read:
If you love me, keep my commandments.
The verse reads, “If you love me, ...” John began with the words, “if you love” which means “whether and in case you, Philip and Jesus' other disciples, are fond of, welcome, entertain and love unconditionally” “me” or “me, Jesus” then they are to perform the following. John shared how Jesus said “if” “Philip” and His other disciples “loved Him unconditionally” then they should perform the following.
The verse continues, “... keep my commandments.” John added the word, “keep” which means “attend to carefully, observe and reserve” “my commandments” or “my, Jesus', precepts, orders, charges and injunctions”. John shared how Jesus said “if” His disciples “loved” Him, they should “observe” His “precepts and orders”.
When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how there is a direct relationship between “loving” Jesus and “observing” His “precepts”. Many people say they “love” Jesus, but they disregard His “rules of conduct and behavior”. People who have surrendered their lives to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will demonstrate their “love” to Him by “keeping” His words. This requires aid from God, and Jesus will share how a person receives help in our next verse. For now let it suffice us to know those who “love” Jesus are to “observe” His “commands”, and those who are wise will humble themselves and seek His help to do so.
Next time John shares how Jesus says the Father, “shall give you another Comforter”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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