Whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.
1 john 2:5
John has been talking the language of law. Now, he is talking the language of love, and the two are joined together. “Whoever keeps his word [his commandments], in him truly the love of God is perfected.”
The love of God has a purpose: to reproduce itself in us, that we may love as He first loved us. And the evidence that God’s love has fulfilled its purpose in us is that we keep God’s Word.
The obedience John is describing does not come from a sense of duty. It comes from love. This is the clear teaching of Jesus: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn. 14:15). Our submission to God’s will is the fruit of God’s love. We love because He first loved us.
There is a beautiful freedom about the Christian life. What is freedom? Some people have the idea that it is being able to do whatever you want. But some of the things we want to do would be damaging to ourselves, hurtful to others, and most of all, offensive to God.
So here’s a better definition: Freedom is when what you want aligns with what God commands. That’s why we read in Psalm 1:1–2 that the man who delights in the law of God is blessed.
Christ brings us into the most beautiful freedom by aligning our desires with God’s Word. When what you desire aligns with what God commands, then you will be free.
Ask God to breathe on you and fill you afresh with His Spirit so that you might love what He loves, and do what He would do.
