The proof of love is obedience, and he who loves will obey. "If ye love me, keep my commandments," was the simple yet supreme test to which Jesus would put his disciples. Faithful obedience to all his commandments would be most convincing proof of their love and loyalty to the one who had done so much for them and for the world, who had made such great sacrifices for sinful and suffering humanity, whose pure and unselfish life had made plain the way of salvation. His teachings pointed the way to the spiritual consciousness of God and man. This was his true being, and if they loved him, they would strive to live the pure and unselfish life that he lived, and to bless the world as he had blessed it. Their earnestness would be in proportion to their love. If they loved little they would strive little, but if they loved much they would strive much.
The Master declared that not only his disciples, but all the world, in all ages, was to be judged by the same standard. "He that hath my commandments, and keepth them, he it is that loveth me," was the emphatic declaration of him who would accept nothing less than obedience as the proof of love. Mere profession on the part of his followers was not sufficient. The question was not, Does he make a good profession? but, Does he obey? Do his deeds testify to the truth of his words? If such proof is lacking, mere profession is valueless. Professing to be what one is not, amounts to nothing, and what is worse, it makes one a hypocrite. The character of the tree is known by the quality of its fruit, and the tree that bears no fruit is hewn down. Luxuriant foliage, and even sweet scented blossoms, count for naught if the time of harvest bring forth no fruit.
In all vocations of life, the manner in which a man performs his work clearly shows whether he loves it or is influenced by some other motive in doing it. If he is careless and indifferent, and inclined to slight his work wherever he thinks it will escape detection, it is a sure sign that he is impelled by some other motive than love for that which he has undertaken. On the other hand. if he strives to do his best, never listening to the suggestion that this or that defect would not be observed, it is because he finds pleasure and satisfaction in the thought that his task is well done.
