Jesus speaking: “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.” ~ John 14:15-17a
“Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'” ~ John 14:23
Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, was very passionate, but he was also extremely impulsive, and, though he was sincere in what he felt, he didn’t always follow through with what he said he would do. Yet, Jesus transformed his life and he became the first disciple to share the gospel message on the Day of Pentecost when thousands of people believed in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and received His Holy Spirit within them.
Subsequently the church was formed and began meeting together daily for teaching, fellowship, prayer and the breaking of bread. Yet, prior to Peter’s transformation, he denied Jesus Christ three times when Jesus was arrested, put on trial, and ultimately was crucified on the cross. Once Peter heard the rooster crow, he knew that what Jesus had said would happen had come true, and he wept in repentance for what he had done.
Later, after Jesus had been resurrected, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus was asking Peter if he loved (Agape – God-like love) him and Peter responded that he friendship (phileo) loved him. Jesus asked again a second time to Peter if he (agape) loved him, to which Peter responded that he (phileo) friendship loved him. The third time Jesus asked Peter if he (phileo) loved him, to which Peter responded, “Lord, you know that I (phileo / friendship) love you.” Jesus then responded to Peter, “Then, feed my sheep.”
This song, thus, is based off this idea that if we love Jesus, we should obey and serve him by feeding (spiritually) his sheep.
If You Love Me
An Original Work / May 6, 2011
Based off of John 21:15-25
If you love Me, why not serve Me?
If you love Me, why not serve Me?
If you love Me, why not serve Me?
Won’t you feed My sheep?
Tell the world that Jesus loves them.
He died for their sins.
If you love Me, why not trust Me?
If you love Me, why not trust Me?
If you love Me, why not trust Me
To do what I say?
Give your lives to Jesus only.
Serve Him as your King.
If you love Me, I will bless you.
If you love Me, I will bless you.
If you love Me, I will bless you.
I’ll give you a crown.
When I come I will receive you
As My very own.
Run With It 
🙂 Peter is one relatable guy. Sometimes I get frustrated reading his actions, but then God reminds me we all have fallen short, and He can use all of us, even with our shortcomings, just like Peter.
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Amen! He was impulsive and didn’t always think through his actions or his words, but look how God used him. There is hope for us, huh? 🙂
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Yes there is 🙂
As you talked about passion, I don’t know if you’ve seen it, but I wrote a second post on Christian passion as the first one created a lot of discussion, and I wanted to cover the topic again.
I’d love to know your thoughts on the post, if that’s okay. 🙂 But if you don’t want to read it, you don’t have to. No obligation 🙂
The post you can find here https://nobledevotionblog.wordpress.com/2018/02/08/we-need-christlike-passion-not-worldly-passion/
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I did skim read it, when I was short on time, so I will go back to it later and read it thoroughly this time. Thanks for asking.
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Ah, okay 🙂 I look forward to your insight.
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Ok, it will be much later in the day or tomorrow, but I will get to it. Thanks!
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That’s okay!! No rush!!! 🙂
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On a side note, I did try my hand at adding pictures again. These are all pictures that I took: https://runwithit.blog/2018/02/10/love-is-a-mystery/
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I am a slow reader, so when I do get to it, it will take me a while to read it and to digest it and then to respond to it. You seem to be a fast reader.
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🙂 that’s completely okay. Yes, I am a fast reader. I got teased when I was in fourth reader because I read so slow in my sunday school church class. So I purposely read as fast as I could, so they wouldn’t tease me. But God used this as blessing because it did help me pick up reading faster.
Also, I am skimmer too 🙂 and I’ve learned to skimmed better over the years.
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I think I got up to reading on a 7th grade level in college. I began college reading on a 4th grade level. I am doing much better, because I read so much now, but I am still slow, and I still have reading comprehension problems, too. So, if I ask you to clarify something, it is because I truly did not understand it. But, God helps me through. He chose the weak things…
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❤ Absolutely. Everyone has difficulties. Mine is math and grammar. I don't read books as much as I used to, and I agree book reading really helped. Feel free to ask any questions. 🙂
You're right, He does use the weak! 🙂 ❤
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I excelled in general math and grammar in school. I loved diagramming sentences. I used to win spelling bees. I don’t think I am as good at it now as I was, though. And, once I hit Algebra, it was downhill for me in math. But, I keep our checkbook, and it balances perfectly pretty much every time I reconcile it, so I am not too rusty in math. 🙂
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🙂 that’s great!!!
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Oh, I’m glad that you wrote this here, T.R. … when I saw the title, I thought it was a re-post and that I’d already read it. I’m off to read it now. 🙂 ❤
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Ah, yes it is not a repost at all 🙂
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What a wonderful song, Sue! It speaks directly to the heart. God has truly gifted you. And I am so glad and grateful that He did! ❤ ❤
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Glory to God! Thank you, Lynn, for your encouraging words. I am glad, too.
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