Message by Larry Thacker Jr. from September 24, “If You Love Me”
If you have ever heard the phrase, “If you love me you will…” I bet I’d be right in saying you didn’t like what came next. It’s often used as a tool of manipulation and has very little to do with love. But Jesus said it, and we know that He is love’s greatest representative, so we know His motivation is pure. He said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (Jn 14:15) This is not a statement designed to goad us to do what He wants. It is a statement of fact. This is a characteristic of those who truly love Him.
He doesn’t stop there. The next verses introduce his hearers to the Holy Spirit. He is given to all who love Jesus. Over the next few weeks, we will continue exploring the things Jesus tells us about the Holy Spirit and his part in our lives. When Jesus said He is with us always, this is what He meant. His Holy spirit will be with us forever (Jn. 15:16). He is called the Spirit of truth, and a world that refuses the truth cannot see or know Him (Jn 14:17). Holy Spirit is real. He is the spirit of almighty God and of Jesus. He lives within every believer. If we will seek to know Him, He will make Himself known.
