Grant Abbott Supporter Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

The difference between obedience and disobedience is measured by love. In verse 23 Jesus says, "If you love me you will obey me.” In verse 24 Jesus says "If you don't love me you won't obey me."

God didn't create human beings to be robots that would automatically have to obey him. He gave us free will because he wanted our love, willingly and freely given. God doesn't scare us into obeying him with the consequences or punishment if we don't. 

God shows us how much he loves us by sacrificing his only Son on a cross. The innocent paying the penalty of the guilty, to reconcile us back to God. To restore the gift of eternal life so we can enjoy an intimate loving relationship with God forever.

Our expression of love for God is the obedience that God expects and demands. Here are some of the ways we express our love for God.

1. We believe in Jesus. We believe the gospel message is true. 
2. We accept Jesus as our personal saviour. 
3. We surrender to Jesus every day as the Lord of our life.
4. We study the scriptures to know God - his nature and character, in full and deep ways.
5. We study the scriptures to know and understand God's plan and purpose for our lives.
6. We commune with God in prayer to share life together and enjoy each other's company.
7. We worship God to celebrate who God is and give thanks for what he has done in our lives.
8. We engage in Christian service to complete the good works that God has prepared in advance for us to do.
9. We share the gospel of Jesus Christ and the word of our testimony so others can experience God's love too.
10. We walk with the Holy Spirit every day to become spiritually mature and complete, reflecting the image of Christ in our lives.
11. We walk with the Holy Spirit to transform the world around us into the kingdom God intended at creation.

February 02 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

To me, the crucial distinction between the two is that true obedience recognizes and complies with both the letter and the spirit of the commandment that the individual is seeking to obey.

Anything short of that (and especially anything that stems from a conscious intent or desire to give less than that -- particularly while seeking to deceive other people and gain their approval through an outward appearance of true obedience -- is not true obedience, but is disobedience. True obedience involves both actions and the attitude underlying those actions. 

During His earthly ministry, Jesus repeatedly condemned the religious authorities of Israel for such hypocrisy.

January 30 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Good question, Beth! I will try to answer your question mainly from the context that you provided (John 14:23). By context, I mean the exact Bible book that you picked (John) and even the chapter and verse or surrounding verses. 

1) Obedience is the evidence of love for Christ --
Jesus’ own words

John 14:15 — “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

John 14:21 — “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.” Or see the whole verse from the KJV translation: 

John 14:21
“He that hath my commandements, and keepeth them, hee it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest my self to him.”

Will manifest (ἐμφανίσω). 

Properly, of manifestation to the sight, as distinguished from δηλόω, to make evident to the mind (1 Cor. 3:13; Col. 1:8, etc.). A clear, conspicuous manifestation is indicated. Compare ye see me (ver. 19). “It conveys more than the disclosing of an undiscovered presence (ἀποκαλύπτω), or the manifesting of a hidden one (φανερόω)” (Westcott).


and possibly, John 15:10 — “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.”

Jesus does not separate love and obedience. They are inseparable.

2) Obedience brings fellowship and nearness with God.

John 14:23 — The Father and Son “make our home” with the one who keeps His word.

James 4:8 — “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

1 John 3:24 — “Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him.”

This is relational language — abiding, indwelling, closeness

This is relational language — abiding, indwelling, closeness.

3) Disobedience reveals a divided or misplaced love.

John 14:24 — “Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.”

Knowledge without obedience is self-deception.

--Assisted by chatgpt

6 hours ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report