“IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU WILL KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS” JOHN 14: 15
Greetings to all in the name of Christ Jesus.
Miles Coverdale chiefly known as a Bible translator, preacher and, briefly, Bishop of Exeter says that “It shall greatly help ye to understand the Scriptures if thou mark not only what is spoken or written, but of whom and to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what goeth before and what followeth after.”
When we read the Bible in its context as advised by this Bible Translator, we see that Christ Jesus gave a new command in previous chapter i.e (John 13:34) “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
(John 15:12) “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
Also, in (1 John 3:23) it is written, “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he commanded us.”
Love for God:
Greek word used in these verses for “Love” is “Agape”. Agape means to love unconditionally and sacrificially. The word “love” occurs eight times in verses 15 to 24. “If you love me” here controls verse 15 through 17. Love is a condition that indicates whether or not a person precepts Jesus to himself or herself. On the cross, Christ Jesus demonstrated this unconditional and sacrificial love for us. He took all our sins, diseases and sickness on the cross as written in (Matthew 8:17) “This was to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
Christ Jesus could have gone back to the Father without sacrificing his life. He had no sin in Him and was God’s beloved Son. However, He still chose to be scourged and bleed for us when we had nothing in exchange to give to Him and were lost.
Keeping his commands:
When we understand and receive this unconditional and sacrificial love of God the Father and Christ Jesus for us, we are equipped to keep His commandment to love him and one another. Which is also mentioned in (1 John 4:19), “We love (Agape) because He first loved (Agape) us”.
It is very important for us to know our identity in Christ Jesus. We are known to Christ not by our self-worth, but we are known through and in Him. God is love, perfect love. Love precedes action. There is an undeniable connection between love for Christ and taking to oneself what HE requests. Love for Him is to respond to Him (1 John 5:2)
Christ Jesus has endless resources; He is the richest being that ever exists. The Commandments of Jesus are not burdensome but are meant to lead to a life of freedom and fulfilment in Him. They are rooted in love and are reflection of His character, calling believers to live in a way that honour God and serve others. It is His love that empowers us to love God, one another and bring glory to His name.
