Pleasing Him    

What Did Jesus Mean When He Said, “If You Love Me, Obey My Commandments”? 
Sometimes we don’t really know what it means when Jesus said, “If you love Me, obey My commandments” (John 14:15). Does that mean keeping the Ten Commandments? Does it mean following all the Old Testament laws? Or is it something different? 
Here’s what Jesus was saying: 
Obedience flows from love, not legalism. He wasn’t calling us back into the heavy burden of the Law (which no one could keep perfectly). Instead, He was showing us what love for Him really looks like — it responds with a “Yes, Lord.” If I truly love Him, my heart will want to do what pleases Him. Obedience brings life and peace. When we obey Him, we aren’t just following rules — we are walking into His promises. Obedience is the doorway to His peace, His strength, and His rest (John 14:27). So when Jesus says, “If you love Me, obey My commandments,” He’s inviting us into a relationship where love is proven by action. It’s not about cold duty — it’s about living in response to the One who gave everything for us.
What does He actually call us to obey?
Here are just some of the things Jesus said — commands that become lifelines in trials:

  • “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28–29)
  • “Cast all your cares on Me.” (1 Peter 5:7)
  • “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me.” (John 14:1)
  • “Abide in Me, and I will abide in you.” (John 15:4)
  • “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
  • “Be anxious for nothing… but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6–7)
  • “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
  • “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)
  • “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)
  • “Take up your cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
  • “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7)
  • “Remain in My love… so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be full.” (John 15:9–11)
  • “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you… Do not be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)

Each of these is both a command and an invitation. When we obey them, we don’t just follow rules — we step into His presence, where peace lives.



Jesus Said…
Commands That Lead to Peace, Strength, and Rest
When life feels overwhelming, here’s what Jesus invites us to do — simple steps of obedience that open the door to His peace:

  • “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28–29
  • “Cast all your cares on Me.” — 1 Peter 5:7
  • “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me.” — John 14:1
  • “Abide in Me, and I will abide in you.” — John 15:4
  • “Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17
  • “Be anxious for nothing… but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6–7
  • “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33
  • “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” — Luke 6:37
  • “Love one another as I have loved you.” — John 13:34
  • “Take up your cross daily and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23
  • “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.” — Matthew 7:7
  • “Remain in My love… so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be full.” — John 15:9–11
  • “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you… Do not be troubled or afraid.” — John 14:27
These are not just commands — they are invitations to step into His presence, His strength, and His rest.
Jesus Said…
For When You’re in a Storm
When life feels chaotic, frightening, or overwhelming, here’s what Jesus says to give us courage and hope:
  • “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” — Matthew 14:27
  • “Peace! Be still.” — Mark 4:39
  • “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” — John 14:27
  • “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33
  • “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28–29
  • “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” — Matthew 6:34
  • “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
  • “Remain in Me, as I also remain in you.” — John 15:4
  • “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.” — Matthew 7:7
  • “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20
  • “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” — Luke 12:32
These words are not just commands — they are promises of His presence and power in the middle of life’s storms.
Jesus Said…
For When You Need Guidance
When you don’t know what to do next, here’s what Jesus says:
  • “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33
  • “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” — John 8:12
  • “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.” — Matthew 7:7
  • “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” — John 16:13
  • “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.” — John 15:4
  • “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:31–32
  • “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” — John 10:27
Guidance begins with seeking His Kingdom, listening for His voice, and trusting that He leads perfectly.


Jesus Said…
For When You’re Battling Fear
When fear grips your heart, here’s what Jesus says:
  • “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me.” — John 14:1
  • “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” — Matthew 14:27
  • “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” — Luke 12:32
  • “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you… Do not be troubled or afraid.” — John 14:27
  • “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33
  • “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” — Luke 12:7
  • “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20
Fear loses its power when we rest in His presence, remember His promises, and believe His victory is already ours.