If A Man Loves Jesus

John 14:23.

In the above verse, Jesus is describing for us the start of a closer relationship. It is a relationship that every sincere child of God desires to have; where we are never separated from Him.

This experience is not meant for men of the world. The drunkard, backbiter and whoremonger cannot partake of this passage. It is for the chosen, the called, the faithful and sold out believers. It is for those willing to grasp the faith and discipline to become a part of Jesus’ inner circle. It is for those who leave Egypt, and no matter how hot and thirsty they get in the wilderness, they never look back. They anticipate a day when they will reach the land of promise and inherit the promises of God. They love Him so much that there is no persuading them.

I have great expectations because I am involved in this experience. I love Him and I’m looking for Him to move in my life. I expect to prosper and have all my needs supplied. I expect to walk in health, have victory over my enemies and see my family members saved. I have great expectations because I am involved in the process whereby the relationship between the Savior and me gets closer and closer.

This scripture was the answer to a question that Judas (not Iscariot) asked Jesus; "How will you manifest yourself to us and not to the world" see John 14:22. Jesus explained that if we love Him and keep His word, He would manifest Himself to them. And the world can do absolutely nothing to stop it.

Notice the word "If". "If a man loves me". "If" is a very big word. We can’t get pass it. This "if" is like a watchman standing at the gate of the palace to stop anybody coming in that should not be there. We take that "if" and use it to examine ourselves to see if we love Him and if we are keeping His words.

You see, sometimes keeping His words is not easy, convenient or popular. Sometimes it demands a great sacrifice; like dying to live or becoming last to be first later. But if you love Him, there is no sacrifice too great for you to make. If a person does not love Jesus, he has nothing to do with the rest of this verse, or any of the other blessings, promises and privileges revealed in the bible.

No matter who tries to fake it, we can’t get pass that "if". Like the cherubim at the gate of Eden, he has a flaming sword in his hand preventing intruders from coming in.

Do you love Him? That question is not meant to answer out loud, but just be honest and fair with yourself. So many today pretend to love Him. They talk a good game, but their life doesn’t back them up. Like the church of Laodicea, they are neither hot nor cold. They are lukewarm, and they make God nauseated.

If you have any doubts about the matter, ask yourself again and again. Do not let yourself escape until there is a definite answer one way or the other. How can we not love Him? He knew us before the foundation of the world, and He knew we would need His help. So He disrobed Himself and took on human flesh. Can you see God Incarnate as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger? He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name John 1:11. Can you see Him in the Garden of Gethsemane? He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not Isaiah 53:3. Will you love Him as you watch the bloody sweat fall from His face? Will you love Him when you see the soldiers beat Him, spit on Him, and place a crown of thorns of His head? When you see Him hanging on the cross on Calvary’s hill, will you love Him?

According to Jesus, if a man loves Him, that man will keep His words. Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. There is not one word of His that we can stand to live without. There may be times when we think we are making it on our own, but the Word sustains and keeps us. If we have any ability to do anything worthwhile, God gives us the ability to do it.

Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against God Psalms 119:11. The Word will deliver us from sin if we keep it in our heart. It didn’t say I hid the Word in my head or on my tongue, but in my heart. I have the Word in my heart; therefore I have the expectation to maintain victory over sin.

If you love Jesus, then you love His Word. You love it so much, that you’re like Mary. You will sit at His feet and hear every Word that He speaks. You will not be distracted by the voices of other people. You’ve read the Word yourself; you’ve sensed His calling on you and there is no turning back. We know that grace has been generously given to us when we consider the Word of God above ourselves. We seek to be led by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus goes on to say that "My Father will love them". When we love Jesus and keep His Word, we live in harmony with God. When Jesus says, "My Father will love them", He is not speaking of the general love of God toward all mankind. He is not talking about the rain that falls on the just and the unjust. He is talking about something special.

We all know about the superior character of a mother’s love and how distinguished it is. But the love of a father is special too. Think about the prodigal’s father. He gave that boy just enough to get him in the pigpen. A father is thinking about the whole child both present and future. He gives to the child according to what he can handle. Sometimes that means nothing.

It is the same way with God. God has children that obey Him and children that disobey Him. He cannot give to them the same way. There are so many special favors available for obedient children. I have more confidence and boldness in prayer when I am obedient. But when I am disobedient, I’m speechless. I can’t enjoy the gospel; the Word is like fire in my bones.

The Lord deals with His children according to their behavior and character. When a man keeps the Word, he has a character that God can take an approving delight in. And He lets us know it. He makes it so that even trials will be a blessing.

Jesus goes on to say that God will come to us and abide with us. There is no distance that can keep Him away. We will enjoy His presence all the time. There were three that went to the tent of Abraham to affirm to him that Sarah would indeed have a son. But they left Abraham on the plains of Mamre. But He won’t leave us; He makes His abode with us. In other words, we’re in the same house living together and knowing each other.

There are many today who claim to love Jesus Christ, but God knows those that belong to Him. Love and obedience combine to give the child of God victory. If you are not enjoying a victorious life in Christ, you have only one question to ask yourself. Do you love Him?

By: Edmund Brown