If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
—John 13:17
The joy and the blessing of God’s Word is only to be known by doing it. This subject is of such importance in the Christian life, and in our Bible study, that I must ask you to return to it once more. Let us this time just take the one expression “keeping the Word,” or “keeping the commandments.”
In Jesus’ farewell address to His disciples, He emphasized the importance of keeping His commandments.
If ye love me, keep my commandments. And…He shall give you another Comforter. (John 14:15–16)
He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he…shall be loved of My Father. (Verse 21)
If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him. (Verse 23)
If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7)
If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love. (Verse 10)
Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (Verse 14)
Study and compare these passages until the words enter your heart and work the deep conviction that keeping Christ’s commandments is the condition of all spiritual blessing. It is necessary for the coming of the Holy Spirit and His actual indwelling, and for the manifestation of Christ in our lives.
Power in prayer depends on the keeping of the commandments. The power to claim these blessings in faith day by day requires obedience. The will of God, delighted in and done, is the only way to the heart of the Father and His only way to our hearts.