The Dwelling of God with His People

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus gave His disciples words of comfort that remain precious for us today. They were troubled, fearful, and unsure of what lay ahead. Into that moment, Jesus spoke of a love that obeys and of a fellowship so intimate that God Himself comes to dwell with His people.

This verse is not about religious ritual or mere duty; it is about love expressed in obedience, and the astonishing reality of God’s presence in the believer’s life.

Love for Christ Expressed in Obedience

"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…"

Jesus links love and obedience inseparably. Genuine love for Christ cannot be reduced to sentiment or words alone. It is proven in action, in a heart willing to submit to His Word. Obedience is not a means of earning His love; it is the evidence that His love has captured us.

Think of it this way: love delights in pleasing the one it loves. So too, the Christian who loves Christ will find joy in keeping His commands, even when costly. True love for Christ is not reluctant compliance, but glad surrender.

The Father’s Love for the Believer

"…and My Father will love him…"

This is not suggesting that the Father’s love is conditional upon our obedience, but that those who love and obey Christ enter more deeply into the experience of that love. As children of God, His love is already set upon us, but here Jesus promises a fuller enjoyment of it.

It is one thing to know about the love of God in theory; it is quite another to walk daily in the assurance and warmth of it. That deeper experience flows from a life oriented toward Christ in loving obedience.

The Indwelling Presence of God

"…and We will come to him and make Our home with him."

Here is perhaps the most staggering promise of all. The Father and the Son, through the Spirit, come to dwell in the believer’s life. God Himself takes up residence, not as a visitor, but as a permanent inhabitant.

This is the fulfillment of the great longing expressed throughout Scripture that God would dwell with His people. In Christ, this is realized personally and individually. The Christian is never alone, for the triune God has made His home in their heart.

Conclusion

John 14:23 brings together three realities we dare not separate: love for Christ, obedience to His Word, and the presence of God. To love Him is to obey Him. To obey Him is to experience the Father’s love more deeply. And to walk in that love is to enjoy the abiding presence of God in our lives.

This is the privilege of every believer, not just for the spiritually elite, but for all who love Christ and keep His Word.