There is a close connection between obedience and love; the two complement each other beautifully. Love is the heart, while obedience is the hands. We need both. In my own marriage, when my wife asks me to run to the store and pick something up, fulfilling her request (provided I get everything on the list :D) fills her love tank! The same applies to me. Recently, I asked Neena to help me finish an online project, and when she completed it that same night, it reminded me just how much I love her. Conversely, when we fail to do what we’ve been asked, it can come off as unloving or disrespectful.

Jesus echoed this principle in Luke 6 when He asked His disciples, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). It didn’t make sense to Him that He would have followers who did not follow. In John 14, He stated, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Notice that Jesus didn’t use phrases like, “You might keep my commandments,” nor did He say, “You have to keep my commandments.” Instead, He implied that when love is the driver: “You will.” Obedience is the natural response to a loving relationship with Christ. I remember hearing my pastor, Vance Pitman, say, “If you’re struggling to obey Christ today, it’s not because you have an obedience problem; it’s because you have a love problem.”

Now, returning to the analogy of the vine and the branches. The more the branch remains connected to the vine and obeys its requirements, the greater its capacity for bearing fruit. Let us strive today to be like the branch that gladly abides in the vine, eager to obey everything the Lord asks of us—trusting that our obedience will lead us deeper into His love and our joy.