WILLIE'S father told him not to touch the cherries which looked so bright and sweet as they hung in hundreds on the branches of the old tree in the garden. Willie loved his father and obeyed his command. It was a plain direction and easily understood. However, one day Willie was invited to a friend's house. When there, he was asked to do a thing he was not forbidden; however, presently he said, "No, thank you, I would rather not, for I do not think my father would like me to do it.” How was it the little boy knew his father would not like him to do the thing? Because he had listened to his father and knew what he had said. He remembered the words his father had spoken. Here was obedience to his father's wishes, without the direct command being given.
Now the Lord Jesus says, "If ye love Me, keep My commandments." He has given plain directions which cannot be mistaken. But He also speaks of a man keeping His words, that is, of having His 'sayings treasured up in the heart and doing what Jesus loves.