“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15:14)

There are many precious sayings of the Lord Jesus that are both well known and much loved. But there are some, like these, that are, shall we say, somewhat neglected, perhaps being more feared than they are treasured.

Why did He say these things? Did He anticipate that we would want His friendship, but only as equals? Did He know that we would seek a way to love Him, all the while refusing to heed Him? Did He see our readiness to receive, but our unwillingness to give? Perhaps, but why do we hold back from Him?

Nothing in these words diminishes the unfathomable grace that has been lavished upon us through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Nothing is subtracted from the certain and eternal hope that His Spirit has spoken to our hearts. All His children stand by faith alone in His finished work, and the very thought of law and works as the road to reconciliation and favour is absolutely abolished by the cross. He is, and always will be, our life and our salvation.

And who is it that has bestowed this immeasurable love upon us? He whose Name is above all others, before whom every knee shall bow, the Judge of the world, the Beloved of the Father, the Lord of glory, the church’s Bridegroom.

Why then do we fear to obey Him? Why do we resist, argue, hold back, make excuses, delay, delay, delay? Can He love us more or can He do more to prove His love? The Father did not spare His own Son – what more do we want? Is the cross not enough?

Is obedience harsh or fearfully difficult? No! The Lord said, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). John, the beloved disciple, tells us, “His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).

Perhaps we have a wrong understanding of what obedience to the Saviour involves. Perhaps we have made it too complicated and confusing. It need not be so.

The first, and perhaps the most important step in obedience, is to give the Lord time. Make time to pray, to read and to listen to Him. Begin each day in peace and quietness. Order your days (and nights) to make this happen, not haphazardly, but regularly and continuously. This is not hard if you are genuine in your desire to know the Lord, and it will be richly profitable.

Then take to heart all that He reveals and teaches. Seek to live it out in your home, with your family, with your friends and with any others who share your ordinary daily routines. Welcome the Lord Jesus into every corner of your life. Welcome Him as your Lord, your Teacher, your Wisdom, your Saviour. All this is within easy reach, right where you are.

Soon, like a slim green shoot appearing out of hard ground, love will spring up and begin to blossom, leading to much fruitfulness and joy, both on earth and in heaven. As God is glorified in your ordinary daily life, you will thank and praise Him for the privilege it is to obey His commandments.

“These things we write to you that your joy may be full.” (1 John 1:4)