Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. (1 John 2:3-8)

Love And Commandment Keeping

Obedience to the word of God has always challenged the free will of man. Satan told Eve she could dismiss what God told her about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The fall of man occurred when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command. When the Lord destroyed the world in the days of Noah, the heart of man was wicked continually. Sin is the transgression of God’s law. Because of the rejection of God’s law, the world was destroyed by the flood. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord because he loved the Lord and kept His commandments.

John is commonly viewed as the apostle of love. His gospel is a declarative thesis on the divinity of Jesus, proving without a doubt the Sonship of the man from Nazareth as the Son of God. In the final hours of Jesus’ life, the Son of God tells the eleven that if they keep His commandments, they will show the Father their love for Him. Abiding in Christ is keeping the commandments. Jesus showed His love for the Father by keeping His commandments.

Knowing Jesus is more than knowing Jesus. Many people believe Jesus to be their Savior but refuse to accept Him as their Lord. Loving Jesus requires following the Father’s will. To know Jesus fully is to understand and obey the word of God. If a man says that he has a relationship with Jesus and does not obey His word, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Those who keep the word of God will find the love of God in their hearts. Abiding in Jesus is walking according to the commandments of God. This is not a new idea. Satan convinced Eve to love herself more than God and to take the forbidden fruit. When sin takes over the heart, it is self-love that fills the heart for men to live and think as they desire.

The religious world is filled with men and women who profess a love for Christ but never follow His will. Many people believe that as long as they love the Lord, God will glorify Him in their lives, regardless of whether they follow His word. They will accept the saving message of Christ, but to subject themselves to the laws, commandments, precepts, and testimonies of the word of God is more than they will accept. Salvation by works is rejected in favor of the acceptance of a misguided notion that grace does not require obedience. Love demands obedience. How can God give His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for sinful man and then require man to do nothing but love him in a personal experience?

Children of God are commandment keepers by the grace of God. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, but he still had to build the ark to the specifications given to him by the word of God. The Lord has never left man without the word of truth to guide him and direct him. What the Father expects (commands) in return is for the heart of man to love Him and to keep His commandments. When a man refuses to obey the commandments of the Lord, he shows his disdain for God. Refusing to keep the will of the Father will result in condemnation.

In the mountain sermon, Jesus taught that only those who do the will of the Father will be saved. He also highlights that many people will stand before His Father in judgment, declaring their love for God but who have failed to keep His word. They will not be saved. Jesus will reject them. Love is an important part of the relationship, but refusing to keep the will of the Father will keep one out of heaven. Keeping the commandments shows man’s love for God. Love demands obedience.