We've all heard the terms "actions speak louder than words", "walk the talk", "the proof is in the pudding" or "live your life by what you say" (okay that last one is mine). In other words, people while they will listen to you (sometimes) are more interested in what they see in you. The problem is that our actions don’t match our words.
John 14:21 NIV “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
When Jesus as asked what was the greatest commandment he answered;
Matthew 22:36-38 NLT 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.
What does it mean to love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind? And how can you tell whether someone really loves God? Here are seven ways to prove that you love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. They were in a devotion written by Greg Laurie of Harvest Ministries, Riverside, CA (some of the scriptures are the editors FTE)
First, if we really love God, we will long for personal communion with Him. When you really love someone, you like to spend time with them. You enjoy their company and their companionship. In the same way, if you really love the Lord, then you’ll want to be in fellowship with Him.
Second, a person who loves God will love the things that He loves. And we know what God loves by what He has said in His Word. The psalmist declared, “Oh, how I love your instructions!” (Psalm 119:97 NLT). Do you love the Word of God?
Third, do you love hanging out with the people of God? God loves the church. Do you love lost people? God does. If you love the Lord, then you will long for fellowship with Him, and you will love what He loves.
This verse reminds us of the importance of gathering as a church community. Fellowship with other Christians strengthens our faith, provides encouragement, and allows us to grow together.
Fourth, if you love God, then you will love other Christians. The apostle John pointed out, “For if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?” (1 John 4:20 NLT). Our love for God isn’t real if we hate other Christians. And 1 John 3:14 says, “If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead” (NLT).
Fifth, if you really love God, then you will long for the return of Jesus Christ. Writing to Timothy, the apostle Paul said, “And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8 NLT).
Do you love His appearing? Are you longing for the return of Jesus? A Christian who loves God will look forward to His return.
Sixth, if you love God, then you will keep His commandments. Jesus said, “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them” (John 14:21 NLT).
Seventh, If you love the Lord, then you will hate the things that He hates. That’s because His nature is becoming your nature. Psalm 97:10 says, “You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked” (NLT). God hates sin, and we should, too.
Let’s stop talking about our love for God. The proof is in our actions, in what we do.
John 14:21 NIV “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
When Jesus as asked what was the greatest commandment he answered;
Matthew 22:36-38 NLT 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.
What does it mean to love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind? And how can you tell whether someone really loves God? Here are seven ways to prove that you love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. They were in a devotion written by Greg Laurie of Harvest Ministries, Riverside, CA (some of the scriptures are the editors FTE)
First, if we really love God, we will long for personal communion with Him. When you really love someone, you like to spend time with them. You enjoy their company and their companionship. In the same way, if you really love the Lord, then you’ll want to be in fellowship with Him.
- Psalm 34:8 (NIV): "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." This verse emphasizes the idea of experiencing God's goodness through a personal relationship with Him.
- James 4:8 (NIV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." This verse encourages us to actively seek closeness with God, and He promises to respond in kind.
Second, a person who loves God will love the things that He loves. And we know what God loves by what He has said in His Word. The psalmist declared, “Oh, how I love your instructions!” (Psalm 119:97 NLT). Do you love the Word of God?
- Psalm 119:105 (NIV): "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path." This verse describes Scripture as a guide, illuminating the way for Christians.
- Psalm 1:2 (NIV): "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." This verse portrays the joy that comes from studying and reflecting on God's word.
Third, do you love hanging out with the people of God? God loves the church. Do you love lost people? God does. If you love the Lord, then you will long for fellowship with Him, and you will love what He loves.
- Hebrews 10:25 (NIV): "Let us not neglect meeting together, as is the habit of some, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
This verse reminds us of the importance of gathering as a church community. Fellowship with other Christians strengthens our faith, provides encouragement, and allows us to grow together.
Fourth, if you love God, then you will love other Christians. The apostle John pointed out, “For if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?” (1 John 4:20 NLT). Our love for God isn’t real if we hate other Christians. And 1 John 3:14 says, “If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead” (NLT).
- John 13:35 (NIV): "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one another.”
Fifth, if you really love God, then you will long for the return of Jesus Christ. Writing to Timothy, the apostle Paul said, “And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8 NLT).
Do you love His appearing? Are you longing for the return of Jesus? A Christian who loves God will look forward to His return.
Sixth, if you love God, then you will keep His commandments. Jesus said, “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them” (John 14:21 NLT).
Seventh, If you love the Lord, then you will hate the things that He hates. That’s because His nature is becoming your nature. Psalm 97:10 says, “You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked” (NLT). God hates sin, and we should, too.
Let’s stop talking about our love for God. The proof is in our actions, in what we do.
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