Good morning,
"And this is how we may discern [daily, by experience] that we are coming to know Him [to perceive, recognize, understand, and become better acquainted with Him]: if we keep (bear in mind, observe, practice) His teachings (precepts, commandments). Whoever says, I know Him [I perceive, recognize, understand, and am acquainted with Him] but fails to keep and obey His commandments (teachings) is a liar, and the Truth [of the Gospel] is not in him. But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity). By this we may perceive (know, recognize, and be sure) that we are in Him:" ( 1 John 2:3-5) Our love is perfected as we keep The Word of God. Perfected means to be completed; to reach maturity; to add what is lacking or wanting in order to render a thing full. "If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands."(John 14:15) If which is, in case; granting or supposing that, or on condition of. So in case or granting that you really love Me, in that condition then you will keep My commands. We show our love by keeping His commands. Love being an action that is part of our covenant with God, something that we must do. "The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest, divulge, disclose a secret, make plain and unfold; give us the low down) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]" (John 14:21-24) God wants to give us the low down about Himself if we really love Him, if we keep His commands. The Word of God tells us that "the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him and He will show them His covenant." (Ps. 25:14) God wants to bring us in on His intimate counsel. Obeying or keeping God's Word is equal to loving Him. After all if you love someone your desire is to please that person. So, we please God by keeping His Word.
"Therefore you shall love the Lord your God and keep His charge, His statues, His precepts, and His commandments always." (Deut. 11:1) "And if you will diligently heed My commandments which I command you this day–to love the Lord your God and to serve Him with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being–" (verse 13) On our part, in case of, or supposing we will diligently [perseverance applied; devoted and painstaking application; to accomplish an undertaking; persistent effort to please; steady, earnest; attentive and energetic effort in pursuit of] keep God's commands. Love is the fulfilling of the Law. (Rom. 13:10) I love God and want to please Him, and He has given to Me everything necessary that pertains to life and God-likeness. Precious Holy Spirit helps and aides me in keeping His commands. Keeping is to observe and fulfill; not to swerve from; to practice or perform as a duty; to watch over and defend. We can keep His commands and love must be our motivator." By this we come to know (recognize and understand) that we love the children of God: when we love God and obey His commands (orders, charges)–[when we keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and His teaching]. For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous)." I can love the children of God as I love God first, by keeping his commands, that is true love! And God said keeping His commands are not grievous, burdensome, oppressive, or irksome!
Love,
Pastor D.
Daughters of Z 