John 13:34–35; 14:15, 21–24; 15:9–16

Bible Studies for Life
Director, Extension Division, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

Loving Obedience
John 13:34–35; 14:15, 21–24; 15:9–16
Think about how we use the word “love” in our culture and lives. We love things, animals, our favorite sports teams and each other. But when we talk about “love,” our focus is often on ourselves — how the thing, experience or person makes us feel. Seldom do we pause to contemplate what it means to do the loving — to pour ourselves into someone else with no concern for whether the love is returned or our efforts satisfied. After Jesus demonstrates to the disciples what it means to “serve” others unselfishly, He takes the conversation a step further and addresses what He means when He uses the term “love.”

Love One Another (13:34–35)
Knowing the culture into which He chose to enter the world, Jesus uses religious language that He expects the disciples and other listeners to understand and offers a “new commandment.” How they must have listened for the words that would follow. Jesus instructs them to “love one another” in the same manner that He loves them. And if they could do so? They would be recognized by “all men” as disciples of Christ.

Keep God’s Commands (14:15, 21–24)
Jesus, continuing to explain what it means for His followers to truly “love” Him, now tells them if they claim to “love” Him, they will obey God’s commands. And to those who exhibit this “obedient love,” a great promise is made — God and His Son will make their home within them.

Produce Fruit That Lasts (15:9–16)
Jesus reminds His disciples that they did not choose Him, but rather He did the choosing for His own purposes. And Christ makes it clear that those who truly love Him will go forward and bear “fruit.”

The Jews were taught from an early age that they were to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul and might. Knowing this, Jesus goes to great lengths to explain to them and us what it really means to “love” God.
He first says that we must love — care for, minister to and respect — one another. God requires this because of how He demonstrated this love toward us — sacrificially, unselfishly and unconditionally.

If we are constantly fighting and attacking one another over petty disagreements, not only is this dishonoring to God but it also tends to disgust and repel those who are lost.

Furthermore Jesus teaches that if we say we “love” God but refuse to obey Him, we are liars. To love Jesus is to obey God’s instructions and commands. If we do, He promises to make His home in us. But unless we are prepared and willing to obey Christ, our declaration of “love” for Him is meaningless — it does not glorify Him and does not benefit the “body of believers.”

Finally Jesus, as well as Paul and James, says evidence of an individual’s love for Christ is found in the “fruit” that is produced in his or her life. It is not enough to say we “love” the Father; we must live with Him in such a manner that “fruit” — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control — is produced in our lives for His good work and pleasure.

Christ teaches and expects an unselfish and obedient “love” from His followers. This kind of love is contrary to our world’s understanding of the term. This love has one focus — God and God alone. This love causes us to desire to do what God expects, to seek to please Him with all of our being and actions. This love doesn’t make sense because it isn’t about us — how we feel, how we’re served or what we get. This love is about how we make God feel, what we do for Him and what benefits He receives from our actions. Jesus modeled this love by doing the will of His Father and sacrificing Himself for others.

True love for God — according to Jesus — loves others, obeys Him and produces fruit that honors and glorifies the Father and His Kingdom. Jesus is asking us two questions. One, do we love Him for what He can do for us? Or two, do we love Him for who He is? The answer should be that we love Him for who He is because of what He has already done for us.