Recap
of 11/25/12
(John 14:15 -16):
1. Jesus
links love for Him with obedience to His commands.
2. “What is the measure of your love for
Christ? It is measured by your obedience
to His Word. Obedience is the true test
of love. If I say I love the Savior and
you see in my life nothing but disobedience, then I’m only mouthing words…The
foundation of spiritual power and spiritual experience is obedience. (John G.
Mitchell)
3. In the context of the Upper Room Discourse
the specific command which Jesus has in mind is the command to love one another
(13:34 ; 15:12 ,17).
If I love others as Jesus commands, I will: serve them, give myself for
them, be forbearing, be forgiving, and will not return a wrong for a wrong.
4. The result of obedience to Jesus’ commands is
intimate fellowship with Him (John 14:21 ,23). If I sense the lack of intimacy with Jesus
there may be an issue of obedience in my life.
5. In the
first of several mentions of the Holy Spirit in this discourse, Jesus promises
His disciples another counselor to be with them in His absence to Heaven. The
Holy Spirit is referred to as the Paraclete (a transliteration of the Greek
word), Comforter (KJV), Counselor (NIV),
Helper (NASB ). He would be their advocate. The term means “one who is called to the side
of another to give help.” The Holy
Spirit would counsel them, direct them, comfort them, strengthen them. “The Holy Spirit takes away our inadequacies
and enables us to cope with life. [He]
substitutes victorious for defeated living” (William Barclay).
