Do You Love Me? The Word's Commission - John 21:15
📖 Scripture
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered, ‘You know that I love You.’ Jesus replied, ‘Feed My lambs.’”
“Jesus said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’”
“Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.’”
“Then He told him, ‘Follow Me!’”
— John 21:15–19
— John 21:15–19
🔎 Examination
Modern pseudo-Christianity often presents salvation as divine affirmation. According to this counterfeit gospel, the goal is to convince people that God accepts them exactly as they are, expects nothing from them, and exists primarily to improve their self-image, heal their emotional wounds, and help them achieve personal fulfillment. This is a false gospel, and according to God’s Word, everyone promoting and following any false gospel is under a curse (Galatians 1:8).
The true, authentic, and revealed biblical Gospel reveals something entirely different. The Lord Jesus Christ did not die, rise again, and pour out the Holy Spirit merely to make sinners feel better about ourselves. He came to rescue His people from sin, reconcile us to God, conform us into His image, and unite them to His mission... not us creating and conforming Jesus to our depraved image.
John 21 illustrates this reality with remarkable clarity. Peter had failed spectacularly. He denied Christ three times. Yet when the risen Lord met him on the shore of Galilee, Jesus did not merely offer emotional reassurance. He did not tell Peter to forgive himself. He did not lower the standard of discipleship. He did not redefine obedience. He did not explain away Peter's sin.
Instead, Christ restored Peter by recommissioning him. Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Three times Jesus gave Peter a command.
"Feed My lambs."
"Shepherd My sheep."
"Feed My sheep."
Then Christ concluded with a fourth command:
"Follow Me."
Notice what is absent from the conversation: King Jesus never reduces love to sentiment. Jesus never separates grace from obedience. Jesus never detaches forgiveness from discipleship. Peter's restoration was demonstrated through his renewed participation in Christ's mission. The Lord's concern was not merely whether Peter felt forgiven. The Lord's concern was whether Peter would faithfully shepherd Christ's people and follow Christ's commands.
The litmus test of authentic repentance isn't feelings... it's faithfulness to the Word of God.
This exposes one of the most dangerous errors in contemporary Christianity. Many claim to love Jesus while remaining largely disconnected from His commission. Many profess faith while refusing accountability within a biblical local church. Many seek assurance while avoiding discipleship. Many desire the benefits of salvation while rejecting the responsibilities of submission. Many claim Christ as Savior while refusing Him as Lord. Yet Scripture repeatedly refuses such categories.
Jesus declared, "Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' but not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46).
The Apostle Peter would later write that saints are "living stones" being built together into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). The Christian life was never intended to be an isolated spiritual experience. The redeemed are gathered into Christ's Body and commissioned for Christ's purposes. This is why the New Testament repeatedly emphasizes evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, service, accountability, generosity, perseverance, and the edification of the local church.
The Lord's commission is not optional. Devotion to the Church is not optional. Participation in Christ's mission is not optional. These things don't save us, but they reveal whether we truly belong to the One who saves. The same Peter who once denied Christ... would spend the remainder of his life feeding Christ's sheep, strengthening Christ's church, proclaiming Christ's Gospel, and ultimately glorifying God through his death.
That is what redemption ALWAYS produces. The relentless grace of Christ does not merely rescue people from judgment. It transforms them into willing servants who joyfully cooperate with the Holy Spirit in building up the Body & Bride of Christ through gathering, growing, giving, and going... Anything less is worthless religious activity; it is not the Christianity revealed in Scripture. It is not obedience to Christ's command, "Follow Me."
To claim Christ's name while refusing Christ's mission is to bear His name in emptiness. To profess love for Christ while remaining devoted to self is to practice the very deception against which Scripture repeatedly warns. The redeemed don't merely admire Christ. We follow Him wherever He leads us.
🤺 Action
- Test your love for Christ by your obedience — “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) Examine whether your profession of love for Christ is evidenced by active submission to His Word or merely by religious language and sentiment.
- Examine your participation in Christ's commission — “Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’” (John 21:15) Ask how your life contributes to the spiritual nourishment, encouragement, discipleship, and growth of Christ's people within a faithful local church.
- Evaluate your commitment to Christ's flock — “Jesus said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’” (John 21:16)
Consider whether you view the Church as Christ's treasured Bride and covenant people or merely as a religious service to attend when convenient. - Test your devotion to the mission of disciple-making — “Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.’” (John 21:17) Identify specific ways you are helping others mature in Christ through encouragement, teaching, mentoring, hospitality, evangelism, prayer, or faithful service.
- Examine whether you are truly following Christ — “Then He told him, ‘Follow Me!’” (John 21:19) Compare your daily priorities, relationships, ambitions, and habits against Christ's commands. Is your life moving toward greater conformity to Him or greater conformity to the world?
💠Reflection
The risen Christ did not meet Peter on the shore simply to remove guilt. The Lord met Peter to restore him to faithful service, i.e., the edification of Christ's Body & Bride. The same Lord who called Peter still calls His people today. His grace is not permission to remain unchanged. His mercy is not affirmation of our rebellion. His forgiveness is not a license for self-directed living. The Word became flesh to redeem a people for His own possession—saints who are eager for the good works God prepared in advance for us to walk in, devoted to His Church, committed to His mission, and increasingly conformed to His image.
King Jesus wasn't only asking Peter, "Do you love Me?" He's asking you too. The answer doesn't come from a feeling or profession. it's not about, "Do I believe in Jesus?" The question is whether there is evidence of a profession that's consistent with Scripture and visible in a life devoted to feeding His sheep, building up His Body, proclaiming His Gospel, and following Him wherever He leads.
Everything else is a false hope in a false gospel.
🧠Study
- Q1: What four commands did Jesus give Peter in John 21:15–19, and why are they important?
- Q2: How does Peter's restoration demonstrate that genuine repentance produces renewed obedience rather than mere emotional regret?
- Q3: What relationship exists between loving Christ, obeying Christ, and serving Christ's Church according to John 21 and John 14:15?
- Q4: How does Peter's commission in John 21 function as a model for New Covenant discipleship, ecclesiology, and participation in Christ's ongoing mission through His Body & Bride?
- Q5: Contemporary Christianity often teaches that a profession of faith, a past decision, baptism, or church attendance provides assurance of salvation regardless of present obedience. How do John 21:15–19, Luke 6:46, Matthew 7:21–23, and 2 Peter 1:10–11 expose this assumption and demonstrate that authentic faith produces ongoing devotion to Christ, His Word, His Church, and His commission?
Blessings & love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
Click >>HERE<< for today's video short
Click >>HERE<< for Sunday's sermon
Comments