John Chapter 14:15-31

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The Gospel Of John Chapter 14:15-31

John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” “If you love Me”-love is a choice, love is an act of the will. ‘it..bids the disciples to question themselves whether they have it and show it as they should’ (Lenski p. 994) The present tense is used in the above verse, ‘Jesus is talking about a continuing attitude of love’ (Morris p. 648). Literally, ‘if you keep on loving Me, you will keep My commandments.’

“you will keep”-The commandments of God can be kept! Which means that the commandments of God are understandable and the commands of God are fitted for the man that God made (1 John 5:3).

“My commandments”-Note the plural word “commandments”. We cannot accept the argument that the only commandment which we need to keep is the command to love each other (13:34). In fact, even this commandment contains many other commandments (Romans 13:9-10; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8). Also note that Jesus didn’t talk about keeping the Law of Moses. A definite change is going to take place in the near future, these men are going to be soon living under the Law of Christ, the New Covenant. Points To Note: 1.

Barclay notes, ‘John never allowed love to devolve into a sentiment or emotion. Its expression is always moral and is revealed in obedience. We know all too well how in life there are those who protest their love in words, and who use the outward actions of love, but who, at the same time, bring pain and heartbreak to those whom they claim to love. There are children and young people who would say that they love their parents, and who yet cause grief and anxiety to them. There are husbands who say that they love their wives, and wives who say that they love their husbands, and who yet, by their inconsiderateness and their irritability and their thoughtless unkindness bring pain the one to the other.’ (pp. 193-194) 2. To Jesus, the words ‘obedience’ or ‘commands of God’ where not unspiritual concepts. Rather, they were the genuine proof of real love (14:21, 23-24; 14:15; 1 John 2:3-5; 5:3). He demonstrated His love for His Father by keeping the will of the Father, by doing what was pleasing in the sight of the Father. He expects us to do the same thing. 3. ‘The existence of love for Jesus is easy to determine, “my precepts will you guard”. The entire statement is like an axiom; nor is there an exception.’ (Lenski p. 995) 4. At times people will object to the above comments, and will say, ‘Well, I know someone who is very strict with the Bible and yet is a terrible example.’ Note: Jesus didn’t say that love is shown by the 1


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