This statement given by our Lord to his disciples, reads as a command. In other versions, it is translated as a statement of fact.
For example:
1. New American standard Bible: “if you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
2. New international version: “if you love me, you will do what I command.”
So, the idea is not that someone who loves Jesus ought to keep his commandments, it is positive proof that one who really loves Jesus will keep his commandments. Now this is not some new idea that the pastor dreamed up, it is always been this way. Listen to what Jesus had to say:
o John 21:15-17, Jesus to Peter - do you love me? Then a command to obey.
o Loving Jesus is an active matter, not passive. It involves action.
o The same thought is there for anyone who wants to be a friend of Jesus. John 15:14 “ye are my friends if you do whatsoever, I command you.”
o In testing whether or not we really love Jesus and are truly his friend, consider some of his commands.
I. His Command to Fish for Men. Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17
1. Our Lord intended every one of his disciples, without a single exception, to be a soul winner.
2. Matthew 9:37-38, “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.”
3. Matthew 28:18-20, “pray Ye therefore”
4. Mark 16:15, “go Ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
5. Luke 10:1-3; READ
6. Our Lord’s last words, He commanded His disciples to go everywhere and witness. Acts 1:8; Be a fisher of men.
7. We need to be a David of old in 1 Chronicles 16:23-24
8. Psalm 126:5-6; The Bible plan still works today. Those who obey his command and go, do return rejoicing.
9. Luke 5:4; Launch out into the deep.
10. Pastor Perkins tells me, “If you ain’t fishin, you ain’t followin”
II. His Command to Abide in Him. John 15:4-5
1. His command to abide is a key to success in the command to win souls.
2. How does one abide in Him?
3. There are two vital elements in abiding.
a. Meditation regarding the word of God. Psalm 1:2
b. Talking to God; Prayer; Matthew 6:6; Philippians 4:6-7
4. One who really loves Jesus will abide in Him. “He will let God talk to him throughout His word, and we will talk to God in prayer.”
5. Do we really love Him?
III. His Command for Holiness. Matthew 5:6,8, and 48
1. Now, how much does God say about holiness and purity in His word?
2. Genesis 17:1; He commanded Abraham, “be thou perfect.”
3. Exodus 19:6; He commanded Israel to be a holy nation.
4. Exodus 39:30; Holiness unto the Lord.
5. Leviticus 20:26; Ye shall be holy unto me.
6. King David called holiness, “the key to blessing.” Psalm 24:3-5
7. 2 Corinthians 7:1; Paul wrote, read verse
8. 2 Timothy 2:19; Paul to Timothy, “Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity.”
9. These verses are representative commands about holiness on the part of the people
of God.
IV. His Command to Tithe. Matthew 23:23
1. Malachi 3:8-10
2. Jacob vowed; Genesis 28:22
3. Leviticus 27:30
4. We must reach the place where we give “willingly, joyfully, and cheerfully.”
a. Exodus 25:1,2; 35:4-5
b. Leviticus 19:5
c. 1 Chronicles 29:5,9,14
d. 2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:7
