Does a one-year-old child have the ability to fully understand or express love for all that a parent does for them?
And yet—the parent keeps feeding, protecting, nurturing, and caring for them day after day. Why?
Love. That’s why.
Just as Ruth faithfully cared for Naomi, guided by love rather than obligation, so too does Christ nurture us—even when we cannot yet fully respond in love. Over time, that love transforms the heart, producing gratitude, loyalty, and obedience.
Over time, the child grows. Gratitude develops. Love matures. Eventually, the child learns to love the parent—not because it was demanded at the start, but because love was faithfully given.
Jesus didn’t replace commandments with love—He showed that love is the motive for keeping them:
“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” (1 John 5:3)
We are babes in Christ at first. We do not begin with mature love or perfect obedience. But as Christ pours His love into us—again and again—our hearts are changed. Before we understood obedience, before we could even respond, Christ loved us first. As that love flows in, it quietly nourishes the soul, much like a cow patiently giving milk to feed its calf. Love takes root, grows, and produces life.
Like the seed in Christ’s parable—first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain—spiritual life grows over time:
(Mark 4:26–28)
Love matures. Gratitude deepens. And obedience becomes the natural fruit of a living relationship with Jesus.
Jesus has done no differently with us. He loved us first. He continues to nurture us. And as we grow, love becomes the willing motive of our obedience—not fear, not duty, but love.
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us.” (1 John 4:10)
“We love Him, because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
Love, as Scripture Reveals It
Christ’s love is the source and strength of our obedience. We do not obey to earn love; we obey because His love has already been poured into our hearts.
R. Scott Holder writes for OUTLOOK on a variety of spiritual topics.
