Perfect love comes from both sides
People usually think that if a person has a lot of spiritual gifts, God must really love them. But this only shows God’s love for us, not our love for Him. The only proof for God that we love Him is that we keep His commandments.
During revivals we often see people receiving many spiritual gifts. You would think that people who have been so richly blessed by God would love God very much in return. But as the years go by, we often see that these people fail when even the smallest act of obedience is asked of them. They were enthusiastic as long as they were getting gifts—as long as nothing was asked of them.
But as soon as God asks for a little act of obedience, they become deeply discouraged. Is this the faith that has been tested and is more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:7)? No! This is why the apostle says, “... but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.” 1 John 2:5 (ESV). Another translation (NLT) says: “But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him.”
If love is only coming from one side, it is not perfect love. To be perfect, it must come from both sides. Only then we can say that we are in Him and He is in us (1 John 3:24).
The love of God becomes complete when we live in fellowship with the Father and the Son
The commandment to love remains an old commandment when this love is only coming from God’s side. But if we keep His commandments, the old commandment will become a new commandment that is true in us as well, just as it is true in Him. This love from God to us and from us to God will drive out the darkness, and the true light will shine in its full strength.
The prophetic word is like a light shining in a dark place (2 Peter 1:19). The prophetic word is the holy commandment (2 Peter 2:21). If we keep God’s commandments, this dark place in our heart will be enlightened. Everything that was light and truth in Him will become light and truth in us. If we continue obeying the holy commandments, the day will dawn and the morning star will rise in our hearts, like it says in 2 Peter 1:19.
"That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” 1 John 1:3-4 (ESV).
It is impossible to have fellowship with the Father and the Son without keeping God’s commandments. And without this, our joy will also not be complete.
Keeping God’s commandments
People deceive themselves when they live a shallow life and never ask God what His will is for them! They like to think back to the days they were saved or baptised in the Spirit and received the gift of tongues. But the apostle Paul forgot what was behind and ran after the things that were ahead.
If we want to make progress in God’s kingdom in the days to come, we need to learn what God’s commandments are, know His will and offer ourselves in the power of the Spirit. In this way we will grow up to the Lord. And those who thought we were living in bondage will be greatly surprised when they realise that this way that they had mocked, really was God’s way.