How does 1 John 2:5 connect with John 14:15 about love and obedience? The Heart of the Passages • 1 John 2:5 — “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” • John 14:15 — “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Love and Obedience: Two Sides of the Same Coin • Jesus links love to obedience in John 14:15; John later echoes that link in 1 John 2:5. • Love is not merely a feeling; it is proven by practical submission to God’s revealed commands. • Obedience is the outward evidence that genuine love is present, just as fruit reveals the health of a tree (cf. Matthew 7:17-20). Keeping His Word: What It Looks Like • Treasuring Scripture as fully true (Psalm 119:160). • Aligning daily decisions with what God plainly says, rather than cultural trends (Romans 12:2). • Turning from sin quickly when convicted (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9). • Walking in love toward others, because His word commands it (John 13:34-35). Perfected Love: How Obedience Grows Love • “Perfected” (Greek teleioō) speaks of love reaching its intended goal—maturity. • Obedience deepens intimacy with God; intimacy enlarges our capacity to love (John 14:21, 23). • As we yield, the Spirit pours more of God’s love into our hearts (Romans 5:5). • Each obedient step strengthens the next, shaping a life that increasingly reflects Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Assurance of Being “In Him” • 1 John 2:5 offers a test: if we keep His word, we “know that we are in Him.” • Obedience is not a means to earn salvation but a sign that salvation is real (Ephesians 2:8-10). • When doubts arise, visible patterns of obedience reassure the heart that Christ truly dwells within (1 John 3:18-19). The Power to Obey • We are not left to love and obey in our own strength: – The Spirit enables both the willing and the doing (Philippians 2:13). – Christ modeled perfect obedience, setting a pattern and securing grace for our failures (John 15:10; Hebrews 4:15-16). • His commandments are “not burdensome” because love makes obedience a delight, not a drudgery (1 John 5:3; Psalm 40:8). Living It Out Today • Begin the day in His word, asking the Spirit to highlight one command to practice. • Speak and act in ways that reflect Scripture’s clear directives—especially in hidden, ordinary moments. • When conviction comes, confess and realign immediately; repentance is itself an act of obedient love. • Celebrate victories, large and small, thanking God for perfecting His love in you as He promised. |
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