He Who Loves Me - John 14:15

By Natalie Houston

Welcome to our first blog post!  I'm Natalie, aka the pastor's wife and generally the one who gets a crazy idea and runs with it, like this blog!  Oh dear, I hope that didn't come out wrong, I truly do pray that I'm being led of the Lord.  I've been writing a Bible Study for the last 4 years for another online forum and thought why not post some of that here, too!  Perhaps it will be a blessing for someone who just happens to stop by.  Of course we know there are no such things as coincidences so if you are reading this there must be a reason!

This Devotional Study is from John 14:15.  I'm trusting that the Holy Spirit is helping and leading us to a better understanding of God's Word and encouraging you to draw closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.  To God be all the glory!

It’s important not to lose the continuity or context of what is being said so I encourage you to start in verse one of Chapter 14 of the Gospel of John.  John did not write one sentence and then two weeks later add a couple more!  We can get misguided by taking things out of context and that is how false doctrines get started.  I will do my best to rightly divide the Word and as we allow the Word of God to get in us, I pray we will begin to reflect Jesus, more and more!

Please take a moment to pray and prepare your hearts to receive the Word today and that the Holy Spirit will teach us His truths.

John 14:1 

If you love Me, keep My commandments. (NKJV)

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (KJV)

If you love me, obey my commandments. (NLT)

If you love me, you will obey what I command. (NIV)

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (ESV)

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. ( NASB)

If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.  (ASV)

If ye love me, my commands keep, (YLT)

I love looking at all the different versions and translations to get a better understanding of a verse or word. You cannot question what is being said here. If you love Jesus, obey His Word. This is simple truth and very compelling. Please note that Jesus didn't say these were suggestions!

The Greek transliteration for “keep” is tereo - the meaning is to attend to carefully, take care of, take heed to, observe.  (Strongs #5083 / Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words)

This verse is huge (spiritually speaking) and the theme of “keeping” His commandments will be repeated three times in this chapter, one in the negative sense.  (verses: 21, 23, 24)

Evidence for our love for the Lord is obedience to His Word.  I do not think we should take this lightly or make excuses for not obeying.  Notice the word “if” in the verse.  That word denotes a condition.  If we love Jesus – we will keep/obey His commands. This is impossible without Christ in us and the Holy Spirit to guide us.  I'm so grateful that He promised that He would give us a Helper to walk this walk of faith.

Jesus has set the example for us in His love and obedience to the Father.  We are called to follow Him (Read: John 10:27; 12:26; 1 Peter 2:21).

Here are some other verses to reflect on and hopefully memorize especially when we are tempted to disobey.

1 John 2:3-4 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

1 John 3:22  And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandmentsand do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

1 John 3:24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

1 John 5:2-3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, thatwe keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Revelation 3:8 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Revelation 22:7 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

Revelation 22:9 Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those whokeep the words of this book. Worship God."

I would love to hear how the Holy Spirit is working in you through this weeks devotional, so I hope you will leave a comment!  

Thank you for ongoing prayer support!

Affectionately,

Natalie