The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.]
1 John 4:8 AMP
Have you ever wondered if you’re really saved? How do I know if I’m a Christian or am I just deceiving myself as I go through the religious motions? Am I advancing the Kingdom of God or am I just playing church games?
There’s one litmus test for a true Christian. I think you know it. You will know them by their love. Disciples of Jesus are recognized by believers and unbelievers alike by their unselfish love and concern for the wellbeing of others, irregardless of who they are. Our love is impartial, pure and sincere.
Think about this. God loves everyone. He doesn’t want anyone to perish but wants all people to be saved by knowing Jesus. If that’s how God loves, and we’re His children, then shouldn’t our love resemble the love of the Father?
God loved us when we were His enemies. God commands us to be like Him and to pray for our enemies. We were all once lost in the world too, shouldn’t we want others to experience the same freedom we have found in Jesus?
Love is the answer to all our problems and God is love. We love because God first loved us. It is impossible to love without God in your heart. The love of God, agape love, is not possible with humans. You must be born again and filled with the Holy Spirit to truly love like God does.
God wants us to be His friends. You can never befriend someone that you’re not even acquainted with. We’re all born estranged from God. How do all these strangers get introduced to Jesus?
Obedience.
Someone, somewhere, at sometime or other was obedient to the commands of our Lord to share the Gospel with everyone.
Time on the clock is expiring for this world. The end is fast approaching. What will we do with these final moments? Will we bury our heads in the sand? Will we run amuck? Or will we be obedient? Will we love? Will we love the stranger in our midst? Will acquaintances of God get discipled and become intimate friends of God?
The choice, ultimately, is yours. Love or rebellion. Just remember, love always wins.
The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin. Not to judge and condemn, but to correct and restore. God wants us to grow up and mature. A loving Father disciplines the children that He cherishes because He knows it is best for their character development.
Breakup with worldly living. It’s the sinking ship that’s taking our whole planet down with the ship. Godly living is profitable now and for eternity.
There’s no better time than now to return to God. He knows we’ve all sinned and gone astray, He’s calling us back to living in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
I’ve decided I want to be known for doing one thing really well. It’s one thing that I actually have control over the outcome. I’ve decided that the one thing I want to become excellent at is obeying the voice of the Lord. I think if I do that, everything else will work out fine.
I encourage you to seek the Lord and ask Him how He wants you to grow and mature in Him. Then, do whatever He says. You will be richly rewarded for your obedience. Either in this life or the next.
Be patient until His appearing. Grace and peace be multiplied to you and through you. To God be all the glory. Amen and amen.