JUST MUSING BASELINES
Keeping – November 3, 2025
DRAFT: Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” When I typed this, I was struck with the thought of how many times I’ve heard those who love others say to them, “If you love me, then you’ll do this or that.” Yes, but is that what Jesus meant when he said if you love me keep my commandments? Doesn’t that return us to the law? No doubt, some people believe so… then again, did I say some? No, I suspect many do… not religiously necessarily but morally they hold themselves to some code or creed, act or deed. “What’s that? Are you wanting my opinion? Huh.”
Well, if I believe in grace – true, free – unmerited or unearned favor, then, of course, Jesus didn’t mean ‘if you love me, you’d do this to earn it. It’s at that point that I heard his voice within me,
‘Do you want to keep my commandments?’
To which, I answered, ‘Yes, Lord.’
‘Why?’
‘I have to… I must… I am compelled to keep your commandments. Of course, I once attributed that inner desire to your spirit whom I say is resident within me, but I realized that wasn’t necessarily the case… not when I did what I did because I emotionally felt I needed to. Upon closer examination, I found my emotions were rooted in either guilt or fear. If it was a matter of guilt, I found it too easy to confess my sins… call it your grace and move on.’
‘Yes, I know. What of this fear?”
‘You left me.’
‘And you came to me bearing acts of service as if bringing flowers or candy to your wife?’
‘Yes, Lord. Pretty messed up, huh?’
‘Nothing that I can’t handle.’
I’ve heard that line tossed around like a weapon: “If you love me, you’ll do this.”
But is that what He meant?
Doesn’t that just drag us back under law? Many think so.
Not just the religious.
Everyone’s got a code, a creed, an “if-then.”
Act right → be loved.
Miss the mark → lose favor.
then Jesus wasn’t laying down a condition.
He was describing an attitude that was alien to me… to anyone.
“Do You want me to keep Your commandments?”
Sometimes it was guilt—easy to confess, call it grace, move on.
You left me. And I went running to you Lord with acts of service like a husband clutching wilted flowers, hoping to buy back a love I never lost. Pretty messed up, huh?”
