John 14:13-14 And whatever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.… I. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN KEEPING THE DIVINE COMMANDS? 1. That we retain them in our memory, so as not to forget them. This is necessary to all other ways of keeping them (Deuteronomy 8:7; Deuteronomy 17:18). The heart of every Christian should be a sacred ark, containing the two tables of the law, that they may be ready for use, and secured against all hostile attempts to deprive us of them (Psalm 119:61, 93; Hebrews 2:1; 2 Peter 1:12, 13). 2. That they have a place in our affections; we must love them, and delight in them. A thing may be lost to the memory, and yet be kept in the heart; the words of a discourse may be forgotten, and yet the savour of it be retained. But God's commands require to be kept in both these respects. The believer loves the Divine law, on account of its Author; and the subject matter of it, on account of its own intrinsic excellence. 3. That we preserve them unadulterated, pure and entire. Nothing is more displeasing to the Lord, than to blend human inventions with His institutions (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18). 4. A decided and persevering obedience to the Divine will, regardless of the consequences (Matthew 7:24-29; Revelation 22:14). 5. That we recommend them to the attention of others. II. HOW OUR KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS IS AN EVIDENCE OF OUR LOVE TO GOD. 1. It is a very rational evidence, for all love is active and influential. Obedience without love is in many instances found to be impracticable; with it, it is almost unavoidable. 2. It is a scriptural evidence, very frequently inculcated (vers. 21, 23; John 14:14). 3. The evidence is simple and easy. This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous. 4. It is an obvious and convincing evidence (Matthew 7:20; 1 John 2:4, 5). 5. It is such an evidence that without it no other kind of evidence would be sufficient. Reflections: The subject teaches us — 1. That love is the foundation of Christian obedience. 2. To judge of our love by our obedience, and not of our obedience by our love. 3. Love and obedience will bear a proportion to each other. 4. They will at last be consummated together. (B. Beddome, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.WEB: Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. |
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