WHAT IT MEANS TO TRULY LOVE GOD (1)

TEXT: John 21:15-17

It was a question Jesus asked Peter three times that left him wondering the message the Master was trying to pass across. As Christians we must look inward, x-raying our hearts and intentions to see how much of true love for God dwells in us. There are people who profess love for God but their lives speak the opposite.

SPIRIT SWORD DEVOTIONAL today examines four (4) ways to confirm true love for God.

(1) If you love God you will obey His commandments written in His word or preached to you not partially but absolutely (1 John 5:3; John 14:15).

If you are struggling to surrender to God’s will, you are confirming your love for Him is fake or defiled. Those who refuse God’s will deny God’s love.

(2) If you truly love God you will love other people without condition (1 John 4:11).

To love only those who love you confirms you don’t love God. Jesus said: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). If you can pray and worship for24 hours but you cannot do these, you do not love God.

(3) The ability to make sacrifices for God and for others is a confirmation of love for God.

Also your passion for God’s work; how much effort you can put for God’s work and how far you can go for Him confirms your love for Him. If your money cannot be given for God’s work, you love money more than God.

(4) When you can let go what you love for God, you truly love God.

There are things people have which they value above God. Some people value their relationship with their friends, business partners or fiancé/fiancée above their relationship with God. They would excuse God to satisfy their colleagues or fiancé/fiancées. Others would “keep God on hold” so as to be able to talk latest gist or watch their favourite movies or football. Is watching football wrong? No. But when you value football more than God, it is an idol to you and can implicate you eternally.

Having seen these points, let us put ourselves in Peter’s shoes and imagine the Master asking us: “Lovest thou me more than these?” Do you love God more than what He has given you – job, business, money, career, family or friends? Or do you need to let go some of those things that have taken the place of God in your heart? Whatever you attach value to more than God has become your idol. You must repent of idolatry because no idolater (whether of money, material, moulded images, fashion, sport) will make Heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

TO BE CONCLUDED TOMORROW

PRAYER:

Lord, I repent of any sin of idolatry. Come and take the first place in my life and increase my love and zeal for you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

(SPIRIT SWORD DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Thursday, 3rd April, 2014. YOU CAN READ SPIRIT SWORD DEVOTIONAL AT: www.drwilliamsbukola.blogspot.com OR Visit www.treasuredhouse.org)