Love and Keep

1 John 5:2 "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments."

Thank God that there is an "and" in this verse. Love without obedience is just as pointless as obedience without love. The way God made this world requires that both love and obedience work in concert.

The beauty of it is that obedience will lead to more love, which will lead to more obedience, and the cycle continues. Obedience leads to love because fulfilling God's commands is not only right, it is good. "...Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments." Psalm 112:1 Like a taste of honey makes us love sweetness, the blessing obedience makes us love the One Who blesses. As our love grows, so will our desire to please Him through the keeping of His commands.

Do I love God enough to obey Him? Do I obey Him enough to show my love for Him?