Welcome to Hank’s Place
The “Princess Bride” is a classic motion picture about TRUE LOVE. There is nothing a person will not do when motivated by TRUE LOVE. The Father gave up His Son Jesus because of True Love. Jesus gave up His life for True Love. Love is key, love is crucial, to having a genuine, full, rich, satisfying life.
Yet so many Christians think just like the world thinks; their minds are in need or renewal. They think, “If I just obey, I’ll be rewarded—with love, riches, blessings, everything. With that mindset they read Jn 14:15 backwards. They read, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” They think Jesus is declaring that the proof of your love for Him is keeping His commandments. And they likely go on to include the 10 Commandments and a whole bunch more. It becomes a mess of criticism, condemnation, and judgment. But it is NOT what Jesus is saying!
But what about Jn 14:23, you might say? “If anyone loves me He will keep My word.” It might sound like obedience is the proof of your love for Jesus. But obedience was NEVER the key to entrance into the Kingdom of God; FAITH IS. Believing in Jesus is the KEY. Always and forever: FAITH.
Jesus gives us only 1 commandment, did you know that? Jn 15:12, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.” It is repeated in verse 17 in case we missed it: “This I command you, that you love one another.”
Life is summed up in loving one another, for love is from God; God IS love. And we can only love because He first loved us. 1 Jn 4:19. He love us. We receive His love. We become vessels of His love—to share with the world.
Looking at Jn 14:15, NOW we can see what Jesus is saying, “If you love Him, His love will flow into you. And through you. And His love will result in you loving others, even experiencing Jesus loving others through you. You’ll be keeping His commandment effortlessly if you love Him, because His commandment is LOVE.
L O V E — and you will Come Alive!
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