The Ones Who Love Me

October 9

God puts a high premium on His Word. Obedience to the scriptures carries the promise of blessing and departure from it leads to destruction. These outcomes are not immediately evident—as can be discerned by the fact that good men sometimes suffer in this life and vile men often appear prosperous and healthy.

Outward appearances are not always accurate indicators of an individual’s inner condition, but there is a measure, there is a ‘plumb line,’ there is a criterion that the Lord uses to weigh out the profession of a man vs. the heart of the man. The word that defines the measure of a believer’s devotion is found in John 14:21.

Here Jesus says, “Those who know My commands and obey them are the ones who love Me, and My Father will love those who love Me. I will love them and will show Myself to them.” How can this be, you ask. For no man born on the planet has ever kept the commandments of God! Read Jesus’ words carefully:

“Those who know My commands and obey them are the ones who LOVE ME…” When we love Jesus, we are accounted righteous! When we love Jesus, we are forgiven of all sin. His robe of righteousness is placed over us! When we love Jesus, His commands are fulfilled for us—He fulfilled them Himself—and imparted His righteousness to us!