John 14:22-31 | What's the connection?

Similar to the previous week, there is an overarching theme throughout the book of John that emphasizes belief, love, and obedience. All of these are still present here. Something that I find to be interesting as we look at these is the gut reaction to try to carefully handle the obedience topic to prove that I am not talking about a works based salvation. I'll instead make a very clear statement that hopefully demonstrates the pattern of what John is getting at.

Genuine faith leads to genuine love. Genuine love leads to genuine obedience. This is non-negotiable.

It is not the obedience that saved us. It is the grace through faith, but a faith that does not ultimately lead to obedience is not genuine. Obedience is not an option. The fact that we struggle so much with obedience shows how devalued the concept of Jesus as Lord is. We are privileged to have Him as Lord. I don't know about you, but I saw how my life was run when lust, anger, pride, money, and the like ruled over me. I am in the arms of a loving Father and a merciful Savior. I should rejoice over His ruling.

The heart of the connection here is to highlight the distinction between the true believer and the false. Faith is evidenced by love and love is evidenced by obedience. You should be able to see both in anyone who claims to be a believer. You should be able to see them in your own life as well. I should be able to see it in mine. And Jesus highlights that you could see it in His.

31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
-John 14:31

What connections are you seeing?