Obedience is it’s own reward

As I read John 14 this morning in the Passion translation, it struck me like a broadside shot – especially verse 21

"Whoever passionately loves me will be passionately loved by my Father. And I will passionately love him in return and will reveal myself to him." John 14:21b

Wow! that is so powerful! If we love Jesus passionately, both he and the Father will love us passionately. Awesome! To be loved passionately by the Father and by Jesus – what could be better than that? The verse before and after is stated twice – emphatically – like a teacher stomping their foot… for test material

It all boils down to this, and the reward is so much greater than the effort needed to obtain it!

“Loving me empowers you to obey my commands." John 14:15 and 
“Loving me empowers you to obey my word." John 14:23

"Those who truly love me are those who obey my commands." John 14:21a

I’ve always told my children “if you love me, obey me”. God says this too:

[John 15:10, 14 KJV] 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. … 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

[Exodus 19:5 KJV] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:

It’s hard to obey, unless we love the author of the command. It’s hard to obey when the world and all our friends refuse to obey and make fun of us for doing so. It’s hard to obey when our flesh pulls us in the direction lust would have us go. But, if we love Jesus passionately, that love will empower us to obey! Hallelujah! And, then His grace will help us in that it is sufficient for the covering of sin.

Oh, what a Lord we have in Jesus! He makes a way where there is no way. He makes provision to completely cover our sinfulness with His sacrifice and His blood. And, He and the Father love us passionately as we love Jesus passionately! Oh, how we love thee oh Lord! Thee, thy Word and thy Commandments! Thank you for deep revelation of your incredible love for us! Thank you for loving us! What a friend we have in Jesus!