Prove It

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." 
John 14:15 (ESV)

Does your love for someone show up in what you do for them?

I once thought this verse was Jesus commanding us to obey Him to prove our love. But a closer look at the original Greek reveals something important: the verb "keep" is actually in the future tense. Jesus isn't demanding, "If you love me, then keep my commands." He's making an observation: "If you love me, you will keep my commands."

This small detail changes everything. Jesus knew that love is the motive for obedience, and obedience is the measure of love. He wants us to love Him before we obey Him, because He wants us to obey Him because we love Him.

Think about a child. Isn't there a world of difference between a child who obeys out of fear of punishment versus one who obeys because they love and trust their parent? One relationship is based on fear, the other on love.

The highest motivation isn't fear ("I have to do this") or duty ("I ought to do this"), but love ("I want to do this"). When you truly love Jesus, obedience isn't a burden—it's a natural expression of your heart.

Check your motivation right now. Are you following Jesus out of obligation or out of genuine love? When love leads, obedience follows naturally.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the freedom to obey You from love rather than fear. How easily I get stuck in obedience out of obligation! Let Your Word and Your grace work in me, Lord. May my obedience today flow from a heart that truly loves You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.