John 14:23–24

In these verses we have Christs answer upon this question; Wherein, 1. He repeats his doctrine concerning their duty, asserting again, that love to him will draw men to keep his words and obey them. 2. He repeats and enlargeth the former encouragement, assuring them that the Father and he will love such, and that his manifestation of himself shall be by his Fathers and his coming to make abode with them. 3. He amplifieth this their duty from the contrary, v. 24. that disobedience to the Word argueth, that there is no love to him, and that this is an hainous sin, and will obstruct these comfortable promises, seeing the Word which they observe not, is the Fathers as well as his. Now for the scope of this answer in relation to Judas question, we finde not that Christ doth directly answer to his question, either as to the way of this manifestation, or cause of this difference in it. Only as by his propounding the matter in general, he curbs him for appropriating that priviledge to themselves only; so by repeating and amplifying the former doctrine, he leads them from enquiring about others, to see to themselves; and from studying the secret counsel of God, and causes of his dispensations, to study the means that God hath appointed for attaining communion with himself, and to abhorre the contrary evils, because of the sinfulnesse thereof, and because they would deprive them of so great a mercy.

From v. 23. Learn, 1. Albeit Christ be very tender of his people, yet he will not cherish them in their folly and humours, nor satisfie their curiosity or conceit; Therefore doth he so much wave his question in this answer. 2. It is a great fault whe disciples become curious priers into the case of others, and the secret counsel of God and causes thereof, neglecting what is commanded, and turning idle in the point of duty; for, this is the fault Christ findes in his question, that it imports so much idlenesse, as needs the enforcing of duty, and terrifying from disobedience. As indeed, much idlenesse in the point of real duty, makes but too much work about what we have nothing to do withal. 3. Whatever be Christs tender condescendence to his people, yet he will not lay aside his Sovereignty over them, nor exempt them from duty; for, notwithstanding all his encouragements, yet he still insists upon the necessity of love and obedience, if they would partake of his comforts. 4. A true lover of Christ is faithful to him and his interests, and what he commits to him in his Word, he will carefully observe it, in his understanding, affection and practice; for, If a man love me, he will keep my words. 5. Christ will never recal nor make void what he hath promised for the encouragement of his own, and whosoever love him, shall finde themselves richly recompensed, in his and the Fathers free love: Therefore, saith he, again; And my Father will love him, to wit, in, and with, and through me. 6. Where God loveth any, both the Father and Son will make a sweet and intimate fellowship with them, and will be at pains to make up the distance; for, we will come unto him &c. 7. God and Christs fellowship with beleevers is constant, for all times, and all difficulties, till they be taken up to be with him for ever; for, we will make our abode with him.

From v. 24 Learn, 1. It may stir up beleevers to their duty, when they consider the great sin and losse of disobeyers; Therefore is this illustrated, by propounding the contrary sin, which imports the contrary hazard of being deprived of fellowship with God. 2. Disobedience to Christ, and want of love to him, are inseparably conjoyned, let men pretend what they will; for, He that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings. 3. It aggravates the sin of disobedience, that the Gospel is the very Word of God, both the Fathers and the Sons; Therefore, doth he set out their sin from this, The Word which you hear is not in me, (to wit, as he is man, or his alone as he is God) but the Fathers which sent me. 4. Obedience to the commandments of God is not required as a simple act of love and courtesie; but as a testimony of subjection to divine authority: and these who will not studie love to Christ that they may obey him, ought to look to the authority of God which will not be vilipended; Therefore is the authority of the Word thus held out to despisers, as also to guard believers, that they be not driven from their duty by the fear of men; The Word which you hear is not mine, but the Fathers which sent me.