Obedience the Proof of LoveĀ 

The disciples of the Lord could not have any doubts as to His love for them, for during His sojourn with them He had constantly cared for them, and was about to lay down His life for them. Nor had the Lord any doubt about the love of His own for Him, for He said to them, "For the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved me" (John 16:27). Nevertheless the Lord Jesus clearly showed His disciples that their love for Him would be expressed in their obedience to His commandments and His word, and not only would this obedience manifest their love to Him, but it would bring them into the enjoyment of what God had purposed for them. Obedience to the Son of God is not grievous to the divine nature that God has given us, for the commands and word of the Lord bring to His own that in which the new nature delights.

In John 14:15 the Lord said to His own, "If ye love me, keep my commandments," and because of His love for them, and their love for Him He would "pray the Father" to give them another Comforter who would be with them for ever. We know that the Father sent the Comforter, and He is with the disciples of the Lord even now, and He shall be with us until the Lord comes to take us home, yea, He will be with us for ever.

Then in verse 21 of the same chapter the Lord said, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me," and the Lord shows the benefits that come to those who are obedient, the Father has special love for such, and so also has the Son, and to such the Lord manifests Himself. See also verse 23.