“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

John 14:21-29

The more complex our world becomes, the more the simple invitation of faith resonates with our hearts. The call for obedience in this passage cannot be fully understood without verse 26. Jesus tells his disciples, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” Rather than a set of rules, Jesus’ call to obedience is placed within the care of a Helper, a Counselor, One who knows our hearts, our experiences, our struggles. Let us hold ourselves in his presence within the life of the church (fellowship, Scripture, Eucharist, and prayer) that our affections may grow and the Holy Spirit may guide us into a joyful and life-giving obedience.