“If you love me, have good thoughts about me, emotionally uplifting thoughts that make you feel wonderful, wanted, even needed.”
I do not believe that is what John 14:15 says, is it?
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
“For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1st Sam. 16:7b)
Not to see if you have warm, fuzzy feelings about Him, not to see if you feel all tingly inside when you think of Him, but what actions, words and deeds you have accomplished solely for His glory, if you have a sincere heart that desires to see the Lord Jesus Christ lifted up not only in your own life, but when you speak to others.
I have always wondered about all the times when John wrote, “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” (John 21:20) for I have no proof of this, but it makes me think of a young man who did not receive much love from his parents or siblings, who never received what he needed growing up, close affectionate ties, hugs, affirmation, recognition of worthiness, love.
Some like to say that when the Lord said to Peter three times, “lovest thou me,” (John 21:15-17) that He was using three increasing degrees of the word, and that may be true, for while Peter was indeed a man of deep feelings, actions to him are what proved his love for our Savior.
My friends, there are no rewards in heaven for good intentions, and love does not save us.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Eph. 2:8)
I cannot envision Peter resting his head on the chest of the Lord Jesus Christ, but I can fully understand why John did, and I understand also why the Holy Spirit sent those two out together so many times.
Men of action do not need to hear their commanding officer tell them that they love them, rarely do they even desire a “Thank you, good job.”
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14)
But they do need to know that they are performing the tasks set before them as their King has desired it to be done.
Jonah did not want to obey, in fact he tried to get out of what the Lord wanted him to do, and then, when he saw the Almighty was going to stay His hand of wrath upon the people of Ninevah, he was upset about that. What drove him to obey finally, fear of possible further chastisement, love, or a sincere heart?
What compels you to serve your Master, can a heart sincere in its desire to see the name of the Living God exalted above the heavens do so without the emotional attachment of the feeling of love within ourselves? Can orders, commandments be followed simply because He is Holy, just, righteous and true who commanded us?
Do you need to feel loved to follow the Lord Jesus Christ?
That may be one of the most serious questions ever posed to you my friends, for when the trials and tribulations arrive, when pain and suffering are not removed from your life, when the path ahead is full of perils and dangers, will love carry you through, or faith and hope?
Why did Uriah go to what he knew was certain death, because of his love for David, or because he was commanded to?
Do you need to feel loved before you will obey? And if that emotional state is not present, will you stop obeying?
“How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?” (Psalm 13:1)
“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;” (Psalm 63:1)
These questions strike at the depth of our soul, they reveal the truth of those who truly have been born-again, for those who cannot feel His love at a particular time, still obey Him.
