Do we actually love God? This may seem like a strange question, but it is something we should ask ourselves. Personally, it is becoming apparent to me how little I actually love God (as if there were varying degrees of love). He gave His Son for me, and yet I cannot even give myself completely to him. He loved me enough to go through such lengths to spare me from the fires of hell, yet I do not love Him enough to obey him fully and completely when He leads me to do something against my arbitrary wishes.
'Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God', exclaimed the apostle John. (1 John 3:1) And I must agree - His love surely surpasses all understanding. There is no comprehending its limits. How could a just, holy and righteous God regard a wretched, stubborn, stiffnecked sinner is simply beyond me. And it is all because of Jesus, and what He did upon the cross.
'He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isa. 53:5-6) It was for me He died. It was for my sin He suffered. He willingly bore my sin, even though all I deserved was eternal punishment. And yet I grumble about doing His will, and close my ears when He speaks to me.
Do I actually love God, or do I merely talk as if I love Him? Am I living the life of one who has been redeemed by the blood of the lamb, or am I sounding like a Christian on this blog and living like a sinner the rest of the time?
'Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.' (Deut. 6:4-5) Do you realize how important this command is? If we always followed this command perfectly, and truly loved the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind, it would make all the difference in the world. It is our love for the Lord that causes us to trust Him, follow Him, obey Him, etc. Love is the fulfilment of the law (Romans 13:10).
'And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity [Love].'
Why is Love the greatest of these three? Because it is love that causes us to have faith and hope.
Now back to the question ... do I actually love God? It is something we should reflect on. Let us pray that God would continue to perfect us in love, that we may serve him out of a sincere heart.
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