Obedience: The True Test - by Dave Walker

 "If you love me you will obey what I command."                (John 14:15 NIV)

If we want to know how much we love Jesus, we must see how much we're obeying Him. 

This is not a legalistic showing, by obedience, how much we love Him, to earn His approval, but a reality check. If we say or feel we love Jesus, let’s check it against our obedience.

Later, Jesus uses His relationship with the Father to illustrate the point: “… the world must know that I love the Father and I do exactly what the Father has commanded me.”(v31) The exactness of His obedience reflects the extent of His love.

I might sing beautiful choruses, declare my undying love, or get goose-bumps in church, but my love shines in my obedience to His Word and the His Spirit's promptings. 

True love easily responds to the beloved. My sweetheart was a nurse keeping odd hours. I enjoyed fetching her at 5.30am. She liked cats. Suddenly I was attracted to these animals I'd previously ignored. We're attracted to what's precious to the beloved. When we're in love with Jesus, it's our pleasure to obey.

Yet I admit, when I check my love against my obedience to His Spirit's whisperings, I realise how paltry my love can sometimes be. Once again, I see how much I depend on His grace. If the reality check in your heart reveals the same, don't let the enemy condemn you. Rather let it produce thankfulness for God’s unconditional love. That's what will make you love Him more.

Dave Walker is a retired anaesthesiologist turned writer. His book, God in the ICU, on his experiences praying with patients in the Intensive Care Unit, has 22 reviews on Amazon, with a 5 star rating overall. Contact