John 14:23-24 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. ²⁴ Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

This is definitely the litmus test for anyone as to whether they love Jesus. The thing is, no one on this earth obeys Jesus perfectly, so there is always room for growth. In a way, it’s like marriage. When I was first married, my love for my wife was a hot passion, but in the succeeding 57 years it has grown far deeper and stronger. In no way would I say I didn’t love her back then, but in a very real sense I have learned more of what love actually is. That is the way it is for every believer’s relationship with Jesus. When my grandmother Carver was 90, we visited her in the nursing home and were singing Amazing Grace with her. She had been a voice teacher, and always loved music, so it was a shock when, after the second verse, she stopped and said, “No, that’s not right.” We thought senility had really stepped in, but what she was objecting to was the line, “How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.” She said, “When I first believed, I had no idea how truly precious God’s grace was.” In other words, to quote another song, “The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.” We are to strive to express our love to Jesus through full obedience at all times, and at the same time recognize that both our understanding of His Word and our obedience to Him are incomplete. As Paul said, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

I professed my love for Jesus at 5 and followed Him in baptism at 7, but I knew very little of full obedience. At 24, He tapped me on the shoulder and, just for an instant, showed me a mirror to see the blackness of my soul. I collapsed in tears, crying out, “My Lord and my God.” I wish I could say that I have followed Him in perfect obedience ever since, but that would hardly be true. Perfection has to wait for heaven! I can say that obedience is without question the path to joy and blessing of every good kind. It makes me very sad to see people who profess their love for Jesus, yet deliberately live in ways that are counter to what He taught. As John said, “Perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” (1 John 4:18) If we are being obedient, because of our love for Jesus, then of course there will be no punishment! However, as I said, perfection waits for heaven, so we are all dependent on God’s grace.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for Your overwhelming love for me. May I indeed respond with the obedience that calls for, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!