Trust and Obey
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By John Piper
About The Love of God
Part of the series Message Excerpt
A Sure Path to Permanent Happiness
Audio Transcript
John 14:22 really bothers some people. Here’s what it says:
“Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world?” And Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he’ll keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
This is not unconditional love. This is profoundly conditional. I’ll read it again: “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world?” To us, we’re your disciples. “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him.” In a way that he doesn’t love everybody, my Father will love him and we will come to him — to that one who loves us and keeps our word. We will come to that one, make our home, our abode with him.
There is an experience of intimacy and an “at-homeness” with Jesus and the Father that comes only through obedience. That is, “For those who love me so much that keeping my word is not the works of the law, but the overflow of their affections for me.” And how could we not move into such a heart with the fullness of the at-homeness that you long for?
If anyone keeps my word, holds fast, treasures it in obedience, that person will not be quenching the Spirit. That person will not be grieving the Spirit, but will know the fullness and sweetness of fellowship with the Father and with the Son. If you’re watching pornography every week, do not expect this experience. You won’t have it. If you’re harsh with your wife, you won’t have it.
