“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

Before you answer the question in the title, look for the proof in your life.

The proof of loving Christ is not found in the fact that you can remember the date of your conversion. It is not in an emotional experience. It is not in what others say about you. It is not even in what you think of yourself. According to our text verse, the proof is found in keeping His Commandments; which is obedience – just as Christ was obedient. Remember, in this verse, the Greek word for “love” is “agape.” We are not discussing a love of emotions, but a love of purpose.

Look again at our text verse – there are two questions to be answered – The first question is: Who are we to love? The answer is “Me” (Christ); He must be your First Love. The second question is: What are His Commandments? We can break this answer down into five categories:

The first category is to Walk in Love. There are many verses that command us to walk in love. Look at the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Also read John 13:34-35; I John 3:11-24; 4:7-21; John 15:9-13. We are to “walk, even as he walked” (1 John 2:6). This means we walk in love; circumspectly; filled with the Spirit; singing and making melody to the Lord, and in submission (Ephesians 5:2-21).

The second category is to Bear Fruit. Read John 15 (especially verse 16) and Galatians 5:19-23:

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” (John 15:16)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23)

When the fruit borne on your branches is the Fruit of the Spirit, then it will “remain.”

The third category is to Know His Will. Read John 15:14-15; God reveals His Will to you, His Friend:

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

Paul speaks of this in Romans 12:22, “…that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” James also writes of this in James 1:22, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…” That is, not only know His Will, but also do His Will. (See James 2:14-26; Hebrews 10:38a.)

The fourth category is that those who love Him and follow His Commandments will be Holy. Look at 1 Peter 1:14-16

“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16)

Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. Also Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

The fifth and final category is to Run this Race. This speaks of endurance; continuing stedfast in obedience. See Hebrews 12:1 “… let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Read Philippians 3:7-14; especially verse 14:

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Reader, examine yourself regarding these five categories: Do you Walk in Love? Is the fruit you bear the fruit of the Spirit? Do you know His Will and do His Will? Are you Holy? And finally, are you Running the Race?

You can only answer yes to these questions if you are fully surrendered to Him; submitted to His Will; obeying His Word; and enduring in the same.

Now, what is your answer? Do You Love Christ?