Experiencing God

Over the past 10 weeks, I have been leading a group of about 5 believers through Henry Blackaby's "Experiencing God" study on a weekly basis. In all honesty, I believe that this study has gone well and has had many edifying effects on these Christians, myself included.
One of the great things that I have gleaned from this study is just how well the Scriptures work together in explaining themselves. I just want to share some of what the LORD has shown me through this study from John 14:23.
John 14:23 from the NASB says, "Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.'"
What we notice here is first of all that love and obedience are not the same. Love is not obedience. Love is not commandment-keeping. Love exists prior to obedience. Then, as a result of love, Jesus says that the person will keep His word in obedience. Love and obedience are related, but they are not synonomous. Obedience results from a previously existing love.
Secondly, Jesus says that if someone loves Him that this person will keep His word. Jesus doesn't say might or should or even could. He says will. So, if one does love Jesus, obedience must come. It isn't an option. It is a natural response that has to happen.
Thirdly, when this love for Him comes and results in obedience, Jesus tells us that we will experience God. He says that as a result of our loving obedience God the Father will love that person and God will live with that person. God's presence will be with that person. That person will be able to know God as Yahweh, Elohim, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Tsidkenu, redeemer, savior, etc. from personal experience as God dwells with him/her in his/her presence.
So all of this then sums up the key to knowing God's will and experiencing Him. It all goes back to love, which according to Jesus is the greatest commandment. If we love Christ, we will experience God. If we love Him, the love will result in obedience, which results in God's abiding presence. It's so simple. Love God, find Him the treasure, and we will know Him.
I love the Word of God.