It is common for people to say that they love Jesus. But often what people call love of God is based upon emotion. Emotional expressions of love are not necessarily in and of themselves bad, but Jesus says that love for Him is to be expressed and revealed in a more revealing way. Jesus makes three statements on the love of God and never mentions anything about a feeling or an emotion. In other words, whether you love God or not is not primarily revealed by your emotions and feelings but by your obedience to Him.
For starters, let’s look at the passages on love found in John 14:15, 21, 23-24:
If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, it is who loves me.
Jesus answered 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 home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
Question: According to Jesus, what is the primary response if one truly loves God?
Answer: Obedience to God. Those who love God will express their love of God by living lives that are an in obedience to Him.
Question: Have you met people who claim to love God, claim to be saved, yet live in continued disobedience to the commands of God?
Comment: According to these passages, this is an outward sign that the person does not actually love God. Continued non-repentance is a sign of unbelief, hatred of God, and a love of sin that is greater than love of God. For instance”
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36)
Comment: John elaborates on love and obedience several times in his letter, 1 John.
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:3-5)
Question: According to this passage, how can you know if you are a Christian?
Answer: Obedience. A person who claims to know Christ should have a life that lines up with their confession.
Question: What does John call the person who claims to “know Him,” yet refuses to obey Him?
Answer: A liar.
Question: What are they lying about?
Answer: The condition of their soul. The words coming out of their mouth about God do not match their lifestyle. Such a person is a walking, talking, living expression of a lie. John says the truth is not inside of them because it is not expressed outwardly by their walk/life.
Question: Are you a liar?
Answer: I pray not, but if these passages reveal that you are, don’t deceive yourself. If you are living in disobedience to God, then see yourself for who you are. Confess your sin to God, repent of your sin, believe in Christ, and may your love of God be revealed by your obedience to Him.
Brief Devotion By: Trey Talley
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