If You Love Me

Keep My Commandments


John 14:15 


"If you love Me, keep My commandments," Jesus said.


If is such a scary word sometimes.  Don't we worry about if?  There's a commercial on TV about if for an insurance company.  They claim you don't have to worry about the "ifs" in life if you will buy their product.  But that isn't really true, is it?  There are no guarantees in life.  But Jesus is asking us to do something to prove our love for Him--He's asking for our trust, isn't He?  


Love and trust go hand in hand.


True love obeys.


Jesus asks us here to obey Him as a proof of our love for Him.  As the old song says:


              Trust and obey
                  For there's no other way
              To be happy in Jesus
                  But to trust and obey.


Trust You, Lord, with our loved ones who don't know You?  Trust You with the ones who have strayed from You?  Trust You with our illnesses, our financial situation, our children, our relationships, and OBEY You, even when it seems counterintuitive?


If must be proven.  


Jesus proved His love for us-on the cross.  


He said there is a cost of discipleship: If anyone comes after Me, let them deny themselves, pick up their cross, and follow Me.  Not an easy thing to do!  And not to be entered into lightly.  We enter in to the life of a believer knowing that the cost may be all we have: our friends, family, jobs, health, wealth, and time.  He is our example in all things-just as He gave all, so we give our all for Him.


There is reward for those who follow: endure the temptation to live your own way, and you will receive the crown of eternal life!  


James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.


Not just peace in your heart, but a real joy, and let me tell you this one beats happiness by a long shot!


Psalm 16:11 In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.


Jesus is returning and you will be rewarded by Him!


Rev. 22:12 And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.


It's not for nothing that we give Him everything!


Matthew 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.


Don't give up--don't give in to the world--yes, count the cost, but remember that there is a reward!  Run the race with me and let us see what God will do!