For the past few days God has set certain challenges in my way. I wouldn’t even call them challenges, it’s more like what I’m called to do, and that is share the Gospel.

There were times that I failed to do what God asked me to do, I was convicted, and pressed to do it again the next day. I was always brought back to this verse in John:

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.” John 14:21

You see, this verse is the prime example of a conditional statement in the Bible. The way I interpret it, and the way I think benefits me the most is as follows:

God and Jesus will love me and show me Themsleves … IF … I love Jesus.

I love Jesus … IF … I (not only have) but KEEP His commandments.

You see, this is how we are going to grow closer to God. By realizing and knowing Him as Master, and that there is no other way but His way and what He wants. Disobedience is… disobedience, there is no other way around it!

I’m always brought back to one of the most intense verses in the Bible:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 | NIV

Don’t miss this, I’m not saying that we earn salvation. But, if we call Him Lord, we obey, we follow His commands, and we love Him. If we fail to do those things… do we really love Him?

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He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” Exodus 15:26 | NIV

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 | NIV

“If you love me, keep my commands. John 14:15 | NIV

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. John 14:23 | NIV

If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John 15:6 | NIV

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. John 15:10 | NIV