We often hear about the love Jesus has for us, but we
seldom hear the definition of what our love for Jesus should be.
The New Testament clearly tells us if we love Jesus, we will obey
Him. This means doing God's will is evidence of our love for
Him.
Let's look at the perfect example of doing God's will. Jesus
always obeyed God's will. At Gethsemane (the Mount of Olives),
Jesus' soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. He
prayed three times for the cup to be taken away from him without
having to drink from it. As he prayed, his sweat was like drops
of blood falling to the ground. Jesus was asking not to be
crucified, but He ended His prayer by asking for God's will to be
done (Matthew 26:36-46
Mark 14:32-42 Luke 22:39-46
God's will was ultimately done. Jesus gave Himself to be
crucified so that His blood would cover our sins. God's will was
done at great sacrifice to God and His Son.
Jesus said if we love Him we will obey what He commands
(John 14:15
John 14:23
1 John 5:1-3
He also says that those who don't love Him won't obey His
teachings (John 14:24
If we obey Him, we will remain in His love (John
15:10
Whoever obeys Jesus lives in Him (1 John 3:24
John also teaches that those who know Jesus obey what He
commands (1 John 2:3
If we obey Jesus' commandments, it pleases Him and we receive
from Him what we ask (1 John 3:22
How can we identify a true child of God? In Matthew
12:46-50 Jesus teaches us who his mother and brothers are.
"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother
and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:50 NIV Jesus also
tells us that many will say they did many things in His name, but
He will send them away because they are evildoers and they didn't
obey Him (Matthew 7:21-23
Unfortunately, some professing Christians only appear to obey
on Sunday, but the rest of the week they live according to the
ways of the world. Why does God allow this? Let's look at what
Paul wrote about this: "And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love him, who have been called
according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 NIV God, in His
infinite wisdom, uses those who don't love him to work for the
good of those who do!
Jesus promises the Counselor (Holy Spirit) to those who are
obedient: "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I
will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be
with you forever--" (John 14:15-16 NIV Peter and the other
apostles also teach us that God gives the Holy Spirit to those
who obey him: "We are witnesses of these things, and so is the
Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." (Acts
5:32 NIV
Thus, we must conclude that only those who obey God have the
Holy Spirit.
The last thing Jesus said before he ascended into heaven was
what is commonly referred to as the "Great Commission": "Then the
eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had
told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some
doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them
to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you
always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20
NIV , emphasis added)
A review of the scriptures clearly teaches us that our
obedience to God is evidence of our love for Jesus. So the
question now is: Do you love Jesus? Is the way you live your life
proof that you love Him? Are you obedient to the will of God?
Remember, in effect, "love" is spelled "OBEY."