How does this verse connect to Jesus' teachings on obedience in John 14:15? Verse in Focus “By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.” (1 John 2:3) Immediate Parallels with John 14:15 • John 14:15: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • 1 John 2:3 answers the “how do we know?” question—obedience is the evidence of genuine relationship. • Both verses link love and knowledge of Jesus to active, practical obedience rather than mere words or feelings. Key Insights • Same author, same theme: John anchors love in action in both his Gospel and his first epistle. • Present-tense verbs (“keep”) highlight ongoing, habitual obedience, not a one-time event. • Assurance flows from obedience; obedience flows from love. The cycle is intentional and mutually reinforcing. Why Obedience Proves Love • Love seeks to please the Beloved; obedience is the tangible way disciples please Christ (cf. 1 John 5:3). • Obedience displays alignment with Christ’s heart and mission (John 15:10). • It distinguishes genuine disciples from mere professors (Matthew 7:21). Practical Connections 1. Examine: Use 1 John 2:3 as a mirror—does my daily life show steady submission to Christ’s commands? 2. Abide: Stay close to His words (John 15:7); intimacy fuels obedience. 3. Depend: The Spirit empowers the keeping of commands (John 14:16-17). 4. Celebrate: Obedience isn’t drudgery but love’s privilege, bringing fullness of joy (John 15:11). Other Supporting Scriptures • Deuteronomy 6:5-6—love for God expressed through wholehearted obedience. • Luke 11:28—“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” • Hebrews 5:9—Christ became “the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Takeaway 1 John 2:3 does more than echo John 14:15; it supplies the believer’s assurance. Loving Jesus shows itself by keeping His commands, and that obedient love confirms we truly know Him. |
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