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“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
John 15:10 NIV
This verse from the Gospel of John comes from the parting words of Jesus to His disciples at the Last Supper. If there is one word that perfectly describes the intent of this verse, it is obedience. This is one case where I think I prefer the wording in the NASB95 translation of the Bible:
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”
John 15:10 NASB1995
The differences? The use of the word “abide” rather than “remain,” and using “commandments” rather than “commands.” Time for a little word study! The original Koine Greek word translated as abide is μένω (menō), defined on Blue Letter Bible as:
to remain, abide
in reference to place
to sojourn, tarry
not to depart
to continue to be present
to be held, kept, continually
in reference to time
to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure
of persons, to survive, live
in reference to state or condition
to remain as one, not to become another or different
to wait for, await one
and the other key word here is ἐντολή (entolē), defined as:
an order, command, charge, precept, injunction
that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office
a commandment
a prescribed rule in accordance with which a thing is done
a precept relating to lineage, of the Mosaic precept concerning the priesthood
ethically used of the commandments in the Mosaic law or Jewish tradition
With those definitions in mind, what is Jesus is saying to His disciples? By reading the Bible, we know that keeping commandments is a sign of love and loyalty to God. In the Old Testament context the disciples were immersed in, obedience to God’s commandments — the Law given to the Israelites through Moses — was the key to a righteous life
In the New Testament context, following the two greatest commandments as stated by Jesus is a demonstration of the faith and love of the disciples for their rabbi. Those two commandments are:
“And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’”
and
“The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Jesus told His followers that by following those two rather simple commandments, they will abide in His love. Obedience to His commandments isn’t just ticking checkboxes on a legalistic, ritualistic list; it’s a heartfelt response to the grace and love received from God.
Abiding in the love of Jesus is conditional: we must show obedience to His commandments. From our word study earlier, μένω (menõ) doesn’t simply mean remaining in a condition momentarily, it’s a continuous and ongoing relationship with Jesus. Bible Hub has good explanation of this: “This abiding relationship is characterized by intimacy and mutual indwelling, which is central to the believer’s spiritual life.”
Jesus goes on in the second part of this verse to teach His disciples one last lesson by example. He Himself fulfilled His Father’s will perfectly throughout His earthly ministry. He obeyed in every trial He suffered through, He fulfilled the Law, and He accepted the cross to achieve the saving purpose of the Father’s plan. By submitting to the cross as He would shortly do, He provided the template for the life His followers should follow, and was the source of the righteousness that they would never be able to gain by themselves.
Jesus demonstrated His abiding and eternal relationship with His Father through His willing obedience to do the Father’s will, even to the point of death. As believers, we can partake of that divine love by abiding in Christ, who secured our eternal place in God’s family through His obedience, sacrifice, and resurrection.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father in Heaven, help me to always obey Your commands so I may abide in Your love just as Jesus obeyed Your commands and remains eternally in Your love. Transform my heart and mind to reflect this obedience, and deepen my relationship with You. AMEN.