Maybe at some point you've thought that for God to love you, you first have to follow all the rules. It's an idea many believers have had: if you obey the commandments, then God blesses you; if you fail, He punishes you or withdraws His love. But this way of thinking is not what Jesus taught. In reality, God's love is free and unconditional, and it doesn't depend on your spiritual performance.
In a recent reflection, Pope Leo XIV reminded us that God's love is not a prize to be earned, but a gift to be received. This teaching, based on the Gospel of John, invites us to free ourselves from the burden of having to deserve divine love. God doesn't love you because you are perfect; He loves you because He is love.
The Biblical Foundation: God's Love Comes First
In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commands.” When reading this verse, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that obedience is the condition for God's love. However, the context of the passage shows just the opposite. Jesus is not setting up a business exchange, but describing the natural response of someone who has already experienced His love.
“We love because he first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
This key verse reminds us that God's love is the source, not the result of our actions. He took the initiative to love us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). Therefore, keeping the commandments is not a requirement to be loved, but a consequence of having been loved.
What Does It Really Mean to “Keep the Commandments”?
When Jesus talks about keeping His commandments, He is not referring to a cold list of rules, but to living in a loving relationship with Him and with our neighbor. The commandments are like signs on a path that guide us toward a full life. They are not a means to earn God's favor, but a lifestyle that flows from His love.
The apostle Paul also addresses this in Galatians 5:6, where he says, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Faith that works through love is the true obedience that pleases God, not a legalistic compliance.
Grace: The Foundation of Our Relationship with God
Grace is an undeserved gift. Ephesians 2:8-9 explains it clearly: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” If God's love depended on our obedience, then it would be a payment, not a gift. And if it were a payment, we could boast of having earned it. But grace eliminates all pride and places us in a position of humility and gratitude.
Many people live tormented by the fear of not being good enough for God. They think that if they fail in some commandment, God gets angry or turns away. But the Bible shows us a loving Father who runs toward His prodigal son (Luke 15:20) and embraces him without asking for explanations. That is the heart of God.
The Danger of Legalism
Legalism is a subtle trap. It makes us believe that our relationship with God is based on what we do, and not on what Christ has already done for us. Jesus confronted the Pharisees precisely for this: they added heavy burdens to people (Matthew 23:4) and forgot mercy. Legalism robs the joy of faith and turns the Christian life into an endless list of duties.
In contrast, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). His yoke is easy and His burden is light. It's not about doing more, but about trusting more in His love.
Living from Love, Not to Earn It
When we understand that God already loves us unconditionally, our obedience changes in motivation. We no longer obey to gain His love, but because we already have it. Obedience becomes a joyful response to grace, not a fearful attempt to avoid punishment. This freedom allows us to live with peace and confidence, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
Let this truth sink into your heart: God loves you not because of what you do, but because of who He is. You are His beloved child, and His love for you is steadfast and unchanging. May this grace free you to love Him and others more fully.
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