Heart Check

Read the verse below and then consider how you take it.  What is being said here?  What does it mean and how does it apply to my life?

“15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15, ESV)  

Think for a few more seconds and then consider this question...


Is this a LITMUS TEST to check myself as to whether I really love Jesus or not?

OR

Is this a PROMISE from the Son of God that if I will just love Him, I will- as a result- keep His commandments?


Do we think we should prove to ourselves or to Jesus that we love Him with obedience?

OR

Should we simply ask and seek and fight to look and see Him as He truly is- infinitely lovely and faithful and worthy of our praise- and just maybe in this beholding of the Lamb of God the Holy Spirit might move our affection toward Jesus and perhaps our mind will be renewed and our hearts transformed.  Perhaps we will be moved by the hand of God to trust His Son.


Do I need to look at myself and my behavior for validation when I face doubt?

OR

Do I need to look at Jesus and trust His promises?


Do I need to strive and achieve to "work out my own salvation"?

OR

Do I need to surrender and be amazed at what God is doing in my heart to "work out my own salvation"?


Study your bible and also think about these verses below as you ponder your heart and the way you read such a statement from Jesus...

“26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” (Ezekiel 36:26–27, ESV)  

“18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)  

“6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

“12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12–13, ESV)

“9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9–11, ESV)

“9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”” (Luke 11:9–13, ESV)

“27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” (John 16:27, ESV)

Remember- Salvation is From God, Through God, and To God!

Soli Deo Gloria!