John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.
Obedience isn’t just how we love Him, it’s because we love Him. Caught in the web of His lovesick heart we increasing fall in love, and desperately look for ways to express our affections for Him. If we didn’t have the opportunity to please Him in tangible ways we would explode. This verse isn’t saying obedience earns His love, for that would contradict all of scripture, instead you could replace the word “love” from God here with the word favor. I can love someone unconditionally, and yet not be able to pour out on them the favor I long to because of there own actions, or attitudes. I will still love them fiercely, regardless of their behavior, but they don’t position them-self to experience presence and favor, though I long for both. This scripture promises favor and presence (we will come to him and dwell, or tabernacle with him). A life of obedience that flows from a heart “in love,” positions you to grow, and increase in favor and presence. I’m glad He accepts me, and adores me relentlessly, but I long to apprehend that for which I have been apprehended, and I was apprehended to enjoy all that He is, and all that He has. I want it ALL; don’t you?