Love in Action

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15

William Temple said, “The way to knowledge of God is by obedience.”

“If you really love me, you won’t just say it; you’ll show it,” a father says to his little girl. More than anything, he wants to see love in action. Words aren’t enough. When his daughter does what he says, especially without being reminded, he knows that she cares, that she wants to please him.

The connection between love and obedience is inseparable. Jesus is very clear about what pleases Him: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Nothing else substitutes for genuine submission to God’s will. Not even the noblest of good works is of any value when it doesn’t comply with God’s established standards revealed in His Word.

King Saul learned this lesson the hard way when he performed a sacrifice that God did not authorize. The prophet Samuel reproached him saying: “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” I Samuel 15:22

When Jesus is your Savior, you have a growing hunger to please Him, to live a holy life and express your gratitude by doing what He says. Ask Him to show you His truth. He will satisfy your heart as you seek His ways.