“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Love is a word that is thrown around a lot. I love my girlfriend. I love that sweater. I love strawberry ice cream.
It’s hard to figure out what love is sometimes. Honestly, I’m still trying to get a grasp on it. While it’s most often used to describe something that one feels, I’m not so sure that encapsulates the full meaning. Yet, it’s not exactly easy to define.
As I look at Jesus’ words, however, I see that love for him manifests itself not necessarily in a feeling. While there probably will be emotion at least a good portion of the time, Jesus says that a better test of our love for him is our obedience to his words.
At first thought, this is scary for me. When I read the words of Jesus, I see so many areas where I fall short.
Love your neighbor as yourself? I struggled with doing a simple favor for my roommate this morning.
Do not worry? Take a look at my chewed fingernails.
Do not lust after a woman in your heart? Lord knows how many times I’ve failed in that.
Still more could be said. If love is demonstrated by obedience, it looks like I’m sorely lacking.
However, if I’m realistic, I do obey some of Jesus’ commands. Yes, there are mixed motives and imperfections even in my obedience. Even when I do serve my roommate there are selfish tendencies. But, there is some good. Although it’s not as overwhelming as I would like it to be, there is evidence of transformation and obedience. There is love.
If it could be described by quantity, my love might be viewed as a mere puddle compared to God’s vast and unending ocean. I fall so short. Yet, why would I expect anything different? In his book, Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller offers some good insight:
“We dream of Christ’s love for His bride reading like Romeo and Juliet; two equals enflamed in liberal love. I think it is more like Lucentio’s pursuit of Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew. That is, the groom endearing the belligerent bride with kindness, patience, and love.”
My love will never match God’s love; his will always be greater than mine. I will never serve my roommate with fully unselfish motives. I may never be fully free from worry. The battle against lust could continue until I die. I will never be perfect until I’m with God in heaven.
Yet, he still readily pursues and accepts me. He sent Jesus to pay for my sin and brokenness, and he has provided his Spirit to make me more like Christ. His love never ends, despite my imperfection.
It is in this grace that I rest.