John 14:21 – “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
When we were children, we learned by imitation. We watched the people around us: parents, siblings, teachers, friends, and mirrored their words, mannerisms, and habits. Over time, that imitation shaped us, helping us grow into who we are today.
The same is true in our spiritual lives. Love and imitation go hand in hand. We naturally want to become like the ones we admire, respect, and love. And Jesus points us toward this same truth in John 14:21: “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.”
LOVE EXPRESSED THROUGH ACTION
At first glance, this verse can sound like a demand for obedience before love, but that is not the heart of Jesus’ words. His love is never conditional. He loved us long before we could ever love Him back.
Instead, Jesus is describing what genuine love looks like. Love is more than words or warm feelings; it takes shape in action. When we truly love Him, our natural response is a desire to live in a way that honours Him. Obedience flows out of love.
Think of it this way: we don’t keep Jesus’ words in order to earn His affection. We keep His words because we already know His affection. Our obedience is simply the overflow of a heart that loves Him deeply.
FOLLOWING HIS EXAMPLE
Jesus never asks us to do something He wouldn’t do Himself. His commands are not abstract rules; they are rooted in His character.
When He calls us to forgive, it’s because He forgave first.
When He calls us to serve, it’s because He knelt with a towel and washed His disciples’ feet.
When He calls us to love sacrificially, it’s because He laid down His life for us.
The commands of Jesus are not heavy burdens. They are invitations to reflect His heart and to live as He lived. To grow in Christlikeness is to allow His life to shape ours until our actions, words, and desires begin to mirror His.
LOVE AS THE STARTING POINT
If obedience flows from love, then the path to becoming more like Jesus begins with nurturing our love for Him. That love is cultivated through time in His presence—listening to His Word, speaking with Him in prayer, and walking closely with Him in the ordinary moments of our day.
The more we love Him, the more we’ll long to follow Him. And the more we follow Him, the more our lives will be transformed into His likeness.
A SEASON OF REFLECTION
Advent is a season of anticipation: a time of preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ. As you reflect in this season, ask yourself: How can I love Jesus more deeply? How can that love shape the way I live, speak, and act? When our love for Jesus grows, obedience is no longer a burden. It becomes joy. And through that joy, we slowly but surely grow to be more like Him. Amen.
