"If you love me, keep my commands."
John 14:15 (NIV)
"If you love me, you will keep my commands."
John 14:15 (NIrV)
Both of these verses speak of love and obedience. Research shows the NIV version is often translated as you must keep my commands, then it means you love me while the NIrV version is often translated as if you love me, it means you will then keep my commands. The NIV version implies you must be obedient to Him to prove you love Him. My research called this an imperative statement, or a direct order. The NIrV version, also as described in my reading while researching, shows the verse as a predictive statement, or proposition. If the believer loves Him, that will produce in the believer a desire to obey Him. I must admit the afore mentioned descriptions confuse me just a bit. Really isn't all that the same principle?
Does it truly matter if it is an order or proposition? If God gives us freewill are any of His teachings a direct order? We have the choice to believe or not to believe. To follow or not to follow. I must admit that debate just kept me busy for hours. I combed through eight versions of the same text and studied both views.
To love Him is to obey Him. To obey Him is to love Him. Love = obeyance. Obeyance = love.
Freewill to believe or not to believe.
God first showed me this verse at 3:30am this morning on my Bible App I try to read every day. I did say try because of course, I am only human and don't always accomplish everything I should in a day. Along with this verse was Luke 17: 5-10 and Psalm 98: 1-6. Together these passages brought things to light for me.
Luke 17:5-10 talked about having faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to make the mulberry tree obey you and uproot and move itself.
Psalm 98: 1-6 talked about shouting happily to the Lord and that He has made his salvation known.
Love, Faith, Joy... three of the twelve Fruits of the Spirit in Catholic Tradition.
John 14:15 is part of Jesus' teaching to the disciples at the last super. He goes on to tell them in John 14:16, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever." (NIV) Jesus is speaking of The Holy Spirit. He understands that we are human and we are going to need help. He knows we need guidance, reassurance, comfort, and love. Jesus knows that of our own accord, we sometimes fall victim to hate, jealousy, doubt, loneliness, and confusion. All these things block us from love and obedience toward God. We are sent The Holy Spirit to empower us so we have the strength to obey and do God's will for us.
In my life, that thus far has meant humbling myself before God, admitting my sins, asking (no, I begged!) for forgiveness, then taking the time to breathe, focus, listen, learn, trust, and follow God's will for me. I am currently still working on all those things, but when God showed me obey and that obey=love and love= obey this morning, I was certain the path I have to take. It is not my own will to be on-line subject to the world's criticism. It is something that God has placed very persistently upon my heart to do. So, as I embark on this new path God has placed before me, I ask you one thing...What is God asking you to do to show your love and obey? Not sure? Take a deep breath, focus, listen, learn, trust, and follow God's will. I promise, when it is something, He desires for you to do, it will be persistently placed in your heart. It may possibly be out of your comfort zone. It may possibly mean you have to sacrifice something of yourself, such as your pride. You will know, God will show you.
My hope is this...
That God continues to use me as His vessel. That the words He places in my heart are His and that He uses these words to touch you as He needs you to hear them.
That as I grow and learn in God, you do as well. I pray He also uses you all in my own life to assist me in this new path He has placed before me, however He sees fit. For it is together we were created to exist.
That today you take the time to say a little prayer of love, thanksgiving, and praise to God then ask Him how you can be obedient to Him. Let His will be done in your life. May the peace, love, and joy of our Lord and Savior be with you all today and every day.
Christie
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