John 14:15 NIV – ‘If you love Me, keep my commandments.’
1 John 2:3-6 NKJV – ‘Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.’
It’s very easy to say “I love You, Lord” or sing songs of worship to God. But scripture shows us that our expression of love to God is not just words but also actions; We express our love for God through our obedience to Him. By this, we prove that we know God.
This is not to say that our words and worship are meaningless, but it does mean without obedience, we are liars about our claim to love God. It is so important to understand this so that we are not deceived into doing whatever we want because we think God “knows our hearts.” He does know our hearts; He knows it so well that He can tell it is deceitfully wicked (Jeremiah 17:9-10). For this reason, He has given us His Word to live by, that we would not be led to death and destruction by our own heart. This is why David hides God’s Word in his heart. He knew that God’s Word and not his heart should be leading him.
We have the opportunity to enjoy eternal life with God. This is one of the many ways in which He expresses His love for us. Therefore, as God has given us commandments out of His love for us, let us also be obedient out of our love for Him.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to live a life of obedience to you even in the face of temptation, ridicule, persecution, and any other obstacle that may come, in Jesus’ name. Amen.