Sometimes the shortest of verses can give for the longest pauses and reflection. This verse gives a warning, hope, chastisement, peace, justice, mercy, and countless other untold and unrevealed wonders. I pray that the Spirit press in My heart the kind of love that is transcribed in His words. I pray that He may give me the heart to desire to keep His sayings to the perfection that He has given us His law. May He provide the wonders of This verse and open our hearts to His perfect love and law.
Extra Credit: I recently stumbled on quite a few works by Horatius Bonar who lived (1808-1889) in I believe Scotland. I enjoyed this one on How can a man be justified with God referring to (Job 25:4). Likewise I thought it to be a good fit with todays commentary.
Jhn 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
- What are His commandments?
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. Jhn 14:21
If a man love me, he will keep my words Jhn 14:23
He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings Jhn 14:24
In just the next few verses alone this sentiment is repeated again and again. But sadly many misinterpret or ignore His word and call. Some view this and see only the law. They hold the commandments as a yoke around the necks of others. They see any wavering from perfect obedience as a void of love and an opportunity for chastisement and instilling guilt. They see only commandments and know only law and suffer not love but guilt. Other refuse to see the law at all. They avoid the commandments and define any use or reference to them as legalism. They view the law as the enemy and in doing so see only theology and know only doctrine and suffer not love but baron faith. The truth is the same one who wrote upon the tables of stone is the same that died on Calvarys cross. The Lord that was made flesh and keep the law perfectly was the same Lord that gave the Law and transcribed in the hearts of men. The same that provided the law and demanded justice was the same that provided mercy and fulfilled justice. It is through grace that His elect may see both the author and finisher of His law. It is through grace that His children may view both love and His commandments. For a child that Christ first loved and died for their sins will show their fruits. Likewise, a child that Christ has not died for will also show their like fruits. The one Christ first loved will love Him and desire to keep His sayings and words. Likewise the one that will show no love for Him and does not keep or trust in His words in time it will be known that He never loved them.
If He does you shall. If you Dont He never did.
