(6) John 14:15 – “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Back to The True Jesus Christ Unknown to Christianity

If you are one of the roughly two billion people who profess to be Christian, and someone asked whether you love Jesus Christ, you would no doubt answer yes. But what would you do if asked to prove it? What solid evidence would you provide?

To most, love is little more than a feeling, a vague idea that cannot be properly defined. Ask 100 people to define love and you will receive 100 different responses—everything from a feeling in the heart to just “doing good” to others. Diversified ideas occur because few consult the only source that provides an absolute definition.

Notice how the Bible defines love: “Love works no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:10). What law? The Law of God—as expressed overall in the Ten Commandments! The Bible defines love as obedience to God’s laws. It is that simple. There is no ambiguity or confusion whatsoever! Yet those who profess to be Christian are confused about, or ignorant of, the true definition of love.

Also read I John: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous” (I Jn 5:3). Many who claim to have love believe that God’s Commandments are grievous. But God clearly states they are not! Paul called the Law of God “holy, and just, and good…spiritual” (Rom. 7:12, 14).

The first four commandments—not serving false gods, not making or worshipping images (idols) of God, not taking God’s name in vain, and observing the Sabbath—reveal how to love God; the remaining six—honouring one’s father and mother, not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, not bearing false witness, and not coveting—reveal how to love other human beings. When one obeys the Law of God, he automatically shows love—toward God and toward others. And it is easily verifiable that one is showing love either toward God or others because action is required in obeying God.

When one obeys any of the last six commandments, he—whether knowingly or not—is outwardly indicating love toward his fellow human beings. Consider the Seventh Commandment for a moment. Though an ever-increasing number of people are breaking it, most would agree that committing adultery is not showing love toward one’s spouse. Few, if any, would suggest otherwise. Think of the devastation that results: broken trust, broken marriages, broken homes, broken relationships with children, etc. By not committing adultery, a man or woman shows love toward their spouse.

Similarly, when a person obeys any of the first four commandments, he is showing love toward God. Sadly, however, most do not live according to these commandments—and thus do not truly love God, despite what they may proclaim.

Jesus knew full well that most only profess with their mouths that they love Him—but their hearts are far from obeying Him (Matt. 15:18). This is why He said, “If you love Me, keep [obey] My commandments” (John 14:15). Six verses later, He added, “He that has My commandments, and keeps them, He it is that loves Me” (Jn 14:21). Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus say, “He who professes He loves Me—yet breaks My commandments—is He who loves Me.”

What about you? Do you believe Jesus’ plain words that, to truly love Him, you must be obedient—you must keep His commandments—which requires action? Or will you believe the smooth, cunning words of false ministers who teach that it is not necessary to obey God—despite Jesus’ plain statements to the contrary?

1 (7) John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
2 (8) Matthew 23:23 – “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
3 (9) Matthew 24:13 – “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
4 (10) John 3:13 – “No man has ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”
5 (11) Matthew 10:34-35 – “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”
6 (12) John 8:31 – “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed.”
7 (6) John 14:15 – “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
8 Will YOU Believe Christ?

(7) John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

One could make a case that this is the most popular verse in Scripture. Seemingly, everyone is able to quote it verbatim, even those who are not familiar with the Bible. This verse is usually mentioned in the context of explaining the love that God has for mankind. He sacrificed His Son so billions of human beings would have an opportunity to receive eternal life.

But most fail to notice a subtle point in this verse: Human beings do not possess immortal souls!

The vast majority of professing Christians believe that within every individual is an immortal soul that goes either to heaven or hell upon death. Most ministers, evangelists and religionists speak of “when we all get to heaven” or the “reality of an ever-burning hell” waiting to eternally roast those who do not “give their hearts to the Lord.”

What most fail to recognize is that if human beings possess immortal souls, then it means they already have eternal life! But Jesus said that “whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). There is a definitive contrast in this statement between perishing and eternal life.

How is it possible that human beings could perish if they have immortal souls? The answer: impossible! Otherwise, Jesus’ statement in John 3:16 is not sensible. Why state that His death and resurrection opens the door to eternal life if everyone already has it within them? Those who do not believe in Jesus—which means those who fail to submit to His authority over their lives, who reject the Law of God—will perish for eternity! They will not be given eternal life. See Revelation 21:8.

Notice that Romans 6:23 also contrasts death from eternal life: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This is in perfect harmony with John 3:16.

The Greek word translated from “perish” is apollumi, which means “to destroy fully, to die, lose, perish.” There is no doubt what these words mean. “Perishable” items, such as fruits and vegetables, are those that rot—until they are “fully destroyed” or “lost.” This is not hard to understand when one is talking about anything other than a human being. Those who receive salvation are promised that they “should not perish” but “have everlasting life”!

If hell were a place of eternal torture, then the people suffering there have eternal life. But John 3:16 says, “should not perish,” which does not mean “should not suffer eternal life in torment.” If it did, then the rest of the verse—“but have everlasting life”—would not make sense.

Have you ever thought about John 3:16 in this light?

Of course, some will say that the words “perish” and “death” do not mean we cease from being alive. Rather, they contend we are simply alive somewhere else, either in heaven or hell, despite plain biblical teaching to the contrary. See Psalm 146:3-4, 115:17 and Ecclesiastes 9:5.

This explanation does not permit an examination of all the clear verses indicating what happens upon death. For much more detail, read The Awesome Potential of Man.

(8) Matthew 23:23 – “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

Most professing Christian churches teach that, among other laws of God, Jesus abolished tithing. The thinking is that tithing was an Old Covenant law, and Jesus’ death supposedly freed His followers from such “harsh, legalistic rules and regulations.” Many will cite a lack of a clear tithing command in the New Testament as proof it is no longer in effect.

In Matthew 23:1-39, Jesus does give a clear command to tithe! But most overlook it. In Mt 23:23, when Jesus said, “and not to leave the other undone,” He meant the Pharisees were correct in tithing—and should continue to do so! In other words, tithing is still in effect! Notice Jesus did not say, “These [judgment, mercy and faith] ought you to have done, and not concern yourselves with the other [tithing].” The argument is often raised that this verse teaches tithing is not important—that it is least among God’s laws. But Mt 23:23 does not state this. It merely states that the Pharisees neglected weightier aspects of God’s Law. Jesus was pointing out to the Pharisees that they should have been as meticulous in areas of faith, mercy and rendering proper judgments as they were in tithing. A careful reading of the verse and context reveals Jesus was not saying that tithing is “unimportant,” as many claim.

Within God’s Law, there are small and large points. Some commands carry more “weight” than others. Jesus clearly acknowledges this. If one were to assign importance to tithing compared to judgment, mercy and faith, the latter are indeed more important in building God’s holy, righteous character, which is necessary for entering the kingdom of God. But this does not mean tithing and all other “lesser” laws are of no value or no longer binding!

Jesus explained that tithing is something that people must not “leave undone”!

In Matthew 24:1-51, Jesus gave an extraordinary prophecy of what His Church would be doing at the end of the age. Notice: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Mt 24:14).

Taking the true gospel to the world (doing “the Work,” as it is often called) requires significant funding. God’s Church must continually hire more staff to perform the many functions of running a growing worldwide organization. It publishes a vast number of books, booklets, magazines and other types of literature, teaching God’s truth. Also, the true Church has members around the world who need to be fed the spiritual truth of God by faithful ministers and elders (John 21:15-16; Acts 20:28; I Pet. 5:2). The number of those whom God is calling is expanding and will continue to expand as the age draws to a close.

Yet both preaching the gospel and feeding the flock require money!

It is through the biblical principle of tithing that God finances His Work and feeds His flock. This is how He finances all that He does. Doing His Work is how He chooses to spend His tithe. Without tithes, there would be no Work—no good news of the soon-coming kingdom of God being announced to all nations!

For much more on tithing, read End All Your Financial Worries. This thorough booklet will clear up any misconceptions you may have about this most crucial subject and help you determine to whom God’s tithes should be given.

(9) Matthew 24:13 – “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Have you ever heard the phrase “Once saved always saved”? It is a common saying in the realm of traditional Christianity. The belief is that once a person acknowledges Jesus as their Lord and Savior and “accepts Him into his heart,” he is “saved”—his salvation sealed, and he is on his way to heaven upon death. No matter what a person may do from that point forward, religionists claim his salvation cannot be lost.

Yet Jesus said, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matt. 24:13). The end of what? A person’s life! In other words, only those who endure—persevere!—the many tests and trials associated with being a true Christian either until the end of their lives or the Return of Christ will be saved—and no one else! According to Jesus, salvation does not occur at the moment of conversion, but culminates at the end of one’s life.

Contrary to popular belief, a Christian can lose salvation. He can be truly converted—receive the Holy Spirit—and then spiritually “abort.” This is because salvation is a process, not a moment.

Romans 6:23 explains that the wages of sin is death. At repentance, baptism and conversion, a Christian is forgiven by the blood of Christ and is immediately saved from the penalty of past sins. In one sense, it can be said that the person has been “saved,” at that precise moment, from death.

But this is not the end of the story. There are two more applications of when and how a person is saved.

The second way is the most obvious—receiving eternal life—the pinnacle of salvation. This occurs at the resurrection of the dead in Jesus (I Cor. 15:50-55; I Thes. 4:13-18), upon His Return. This is to occur in the future!

But no one receives eternal salvation now. All must first undergo a life of trial, testing, learning, growing and overcoming, thus building the very character of God!

The third way one is saved is that he is “being saved”—a process that occurs throughout his lifetime. Many verses reveal that spiritual begettal of the Holy Spirit does not mean one will automatically receive salvation. Only a careless reading of the Bible would indicate this. To believe that salvation is complete upon conversion is to ignore all of the scriptures clearly indicating that salvation can be lost, such as Hebrews 10:26-27 and I Corinthians 9:24-27, among many others.

Consider. If human beings are saved at the moment of conversion, then what would be the point of continuing to live? Why would God not immediately take them directly to whatever is the afterlife after they “accept the blood of Jesus”? Furthermore, why would God inspire a book—the Bible—that is thousands of words? The Bible would only need to be a sentence or two. And why all the scriptures about striving against sin?

Will you believe Jesus’ plain statement that you must endure to the end to be saved?

Be sure to read Just What Is Salvation? to gain the complete picture on salvation, and learn why most are deceived.

(10) John 3:13 – “No man has ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”

Newspaper obituaries often speak of people who “passed away” and “went home to be with the Lord.” Others write that their departed loved one is “looking down on us right now” from heaven.

Many speak of being “bound for glory in heaven,” but are unsure of what this really means. The most common ideas are that everyone will “ride clouds, play harps, walk the streets of gold in front of the pearly gates, sit in rocking chairs” and just “roll around heaven all day.” No matter what one may believe will occur in heaven, nearly everyone believes they will go there upon death.

Yet, in John 3:13, Jesus clearly states that no one has ascended to heaven! This statement is most plain. No one means no one! There should be no room for confusion.

You might be wondering, “If no one is in heaven, then what is a Christian’s reward?”

Several verses later, Jesus begins to reveal the answer: “I go [to heaven] to prepare a place for you” (Jn 14:2). Most assume Jesus is referring to preparing a place in heaven. Yet in the very next verse, Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again [to the earth], and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (Jn 14:3).

Where is this?

Many are familiar with Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.” A clear statement on a Christian’s reward is found in this series of scriptures. However, it does not contain the word “heaven.” While most know of this sermon, few know of this important verse: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5).

Psalm 37:11 states the same thing. It would not have been strange for Jesus to reference Psalms, since all His listeners would have been familiar with this scripture. But to have said that “the meek shall inherit heaven” would have been strange to their ears. Amazingly, the opposite is true today! Most think it is strange to believe that Christians will inherit the earth!

Consider what the apostle John recorded in the book of Revelation: “And has made them [true Christians] unto our God kings and priests: and they shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:10).

The reward of God’s saints is future rulership “on the earth”—as “kings and priests.” How obvious!

In Matthew 25:1-46, Jesus describes His Return to “sit upon the throne of His glory: And before Him shall be gathered all nations” (Mt 25:31-32). Jesus is pictured in this parable as ruling all the nations of the earth—on the earth, not in or from heaven! At that point, He says to the saints, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you” (Mt 25:34).

Right now, Jesus is in heaven preparing a kingdom for His people to inherit on earth! Christians will not join Jesus in heaven. He will “come again” to earth, where true Christians will join Him!

Very few people understand this fundamental biblical teaching.

Will you believe the plain words of Jesus Christ? Will you believe His statements that “no man has ascended up to heaven”—and that the meek “shall inherit the earth”?

For much more information on heaven and a Christian’s reward, read Do the Saved Go to Heaven?, What Is Your Reward in the Next Life? and again The Awesome Potential of Man.

(11) Matthew 10:34-35 – “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”

The majority believes that Jesus came to bring peace to earth. Many feel it is their Christian duty to similarly spread “peace,” because, trying to parallel Him, “that’s what Jesus did.” Yet, in these verses, Jesus Christ states something entirely different: He reveals He came to bring “a sword” and set “at variance” (Greek: make apart, sunder, alienate) family members. In Mt 10:36, Jesus adds, “A man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”

In other words, Christ divides families! How is this possible?

To come to a proper understanding of this statement, we must first recognize that God is calling only a small number of people into His Church at this time. Yet most believe that God is trying to save everyone now, in this age; the thinking is that God and the devil are at war over the fate of mankind. There is supposedly a desperate struggle between good and evil—God and Satan.

IF God were calling everyone now, then He is failing miserably in His battle with the devil for control over the fate of all men. Of the estimated 6.7 billion people today, only about one-third believe, to one degree or another, in the name of Jesus Christ. This represents a total that includes every conceivable brand of the more than 2,000 different forms of professing Christianity. If the war to “win souls” is as most professing Christian ministers depict it, then the devil is much stronger and much more effective in his effort than is God.

Of course, God is stronger than Satan, and He is not in a war to “save souls.” He simply is not calling a large number of people in this age. Rather, He is calling a tiny few to qualify to rule in the kingdom of God during the Millennium, when He will begin to call all human beings (Jer. 31:31-34; Dan. 7:14)!

In the book of John, Jesus stated, “No man can come to Me, except the Father which has sent Me draw him” (Jn 6:44). However, billions believe they can come to Jesus on their own volition. They assume the choice is theirs to make. But Jesus says it is not!

Twenty-one verses later, Jesus repeated to His audience, “Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father” (Jn 6:65). In the next verse, John records, “From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.”

The many thousands who heard Jesus simply could not understand that the Father has to “draw” people and that a calling is something “given” to them. Otherwise, they cannot come to Jesus and understand His words. It is simply impossible! It is not natural for human beings to seek God and obey Him (Rom. 3:10-12) because, as we have seen, “the carnal mind is enmity [hostile] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:7).

In other words, the carnal mind is God’s enemy! Only when one is called can he truly seek God.

With this briefest of backdrops, we can now examine Jesus’ statement in Matthew 10:1-42.

Since God is calling only a small number into His Church today, it can be expected that He would not, in most cases, call an entire family. In fact, history has shown that God very rarely calls the majority in a family. He may call a son, and not the parents—or the parents, but not the son and/or daughter. Sometimes, God chooses to call one spouse and not the other. This often leads to disagreements within marriages and families, depending upon whether those not yet called are willing to accept changes in the individual who is called. Some are willing, and some are not.

When learning the truths of God, a person begins to see that he must change certain areas of his life. He learns that a Christian is one who repents of his former conduct and disobedience to God. He changes his ways. He learns to refrain from eating unclean meats; to observe the Sabbath and not work from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday; observe God’s seven annual Holy Days, which reflect His overarching plan for mankind; obey God’s financial laws; not celebrate holidays of pagan origin, such as Christmas, Easter and New Year’s; among numerous other changes.

These sweeping, and sometimes sudden, alterations to one’s life can cause family members to become resentful—even fiercely angry!—with the person God is calling. They find that they cannot accept his refusing to celebrate Christmas with them, as may have been done for decades. Or they are unable to tolerate his not being available for family outings on Saturday. They may grow to despise the new person that he is becoming.

It is the natural result of applying His teachings through which Jesus brings a “sword” to families. Such situations can bring division, resentment, hostility—sometimes even separation—when one person is called to obey God, while others are not.

Understand, however, that Jesus does not intentionally divide families. Rather, division is a by-product of a person being called into God’s Church.

(12) John 8:31 – “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed.”

As we saw earlier, more than two billion people profess to be followers of Jesus. They believe they are His disciples, or students. A student is one who learns from his teacher and applies what he has learned. Yet most who claim to be Christ’s disciples fail to learn and apply what He teaches. Are they then His disciples?

No!

Jesus clearly states that only those who continue in His word are His disciples. The Greek word for “continue” means “to stay, abide, continue, dwell, endure, remain, stand.” In other words, one must obey Jesus’ words to be considered His disciple! Students of Jesus apply what they learn. This requires action and obedience—not merely a profession of belief!

Amazingly, in John 8:37, those who professed to “believe on Jesus” (Jn 8:30) actually sought to kill Him! Jesus said, “You seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you” (Jn 8:37). He further added, “But now you seek to kill Me, a Man that has told you the truth” (Jn 8:40). Many say they want to hear the truth—but not if it means being told they are wrong, particularly about cherished ideas, and must amend their conduct.

This biblical account comes to a remarkable conclusion. Jesus asked, “Why do you not understand My speech?” He then answered, “…because you cannot hear My word” (Jn 8:43).

How could people standing right beside Christ “not hear His word”? Because “He that is of God hears God’s words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God” (Jn 8:47).

Those who are of God hear His words and do them! (See Matthew 7:21, John 3:19-21, Romans 2:13 and James 1:22.) Most today who profess to “believe on Jesus” are no different from those described in John 8:1-59. They proclaim to believe Him—they claim to be His disciples—yet fail to abide in His teachings.

According to Jesus, His true disciples are identified by their obedience to Him!