I consider myself a very introspective person. This causes me to do a lot of soul searching in various circumstances, and it compels me to strive for a very transparent level of honesty with myself. Who ever said that you can't lie to yourself was , well, lying to themselves. I have had many times in my life where I flat out lied to myself to ease my conscience. Here in John 14:15 I believe Jesus gives us a way to be dead honest with ourselves in answering a really hard question. Do I love God? You know it seems to be easy. Most people seem to want to profess a love of God. It is even socially acceptable to "love God." Even in a Hollywood award show many of the artists will profess a love of God in receiving an award for a piece of work that obviously is contrary to the values displayed in His word. (ie. I want to thank God that my #1 single "Kill 'em All" was so popular.... ;) ) I believe what Jesus says in this verse is not a command. I don't read it as "If you love me you had better keep my commands." I see it as an indicator. A way that God shows us the areas of our lives that we haven't turned completely over to Him. I don't see it as a condemnation either. It is God's interaction with the creation He desires to have a relationship with. Praise God that He isn't leaving me down here to figure this whole "being a Christian thing" out on my own. He is saying, if you want to be real, if you want to really see where you are, then let's answer the hard question, and let me show you just how big my love for you and my grace really are. -- just my humble opinion.

John 14:15