The Four Commandments That Secure Abiding in Christ's Love

Christ declared: "If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love" (John 15:10). What does this keeping entail? Four categories of obedience sustain our meno (abiding) in His love.

First, commandments maintaining spiritual communion with Christ Himself. He kept His Father's commandments constantly and thus remained in His Father's love. We must imitate Him through earnest use of the means of grace—prayer, Scripture, sacrament. Many neglect these entirely; others use them carelessly, forfeiting their benefit.

Second, commandments requiring us to mirror Christ's spirit: wisdom, truthfulness, purity of heart, patience, humility, charity, piety. Yet multitudes remain so engrossed in business they neglect moral and spiritual culture. Many labor outwardly in Christ's service without realizing that inward transformation precedes fruitful work. Genuine "doing good" flows naturally from inward goodness, not forced external activity.

Third, commandments concerning ordinary daily duties—relationships Providence has placed us in. The Christian life beautifies our entire existence. A man's true character emerges not from public occasions but from daily life: as son, brother, husband. Love for Christ manifests most powerfully in these intimate spheres where God trains souls into obedience and nobility.

Fourth, commandments directing us toward active beneficence. Christ's death for all men pledges us to love all men. Obedience in these four dimensions secures our abiding in His love—Adonai's unshakeable covenant with those who keep His word.