John 14:15 says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Jesus said this to help comfort his disciples the night he was betrayed. They were already rattled knowing he was leaving them. His statement is very simple and straightforward. The Old Testament law required obedience. As Israel prepared to go into the Promised Land, God told them, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…soul…and strength” (Deut. 6:5). And hundreds of commands followed. Jesus expected nothing less: love and obey. Love is the interior disposition and motivation. Obedience is the outward manifestation. Without obedience, love is reduced to mere sentimentalism. Without love, obedience is reduced to pure legalism. God always wants the proper balance, and it must come from the inside out. As his change agents living for God’s glory, let’s regularly keep this balance so our outsider friends see the difference and be drawn to him.