Our Love for Christ
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.
John 14:21
Christ died for our sins, and we show our love to the Father and to Christ by obeying his commands. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. (John 5:3) The Lord’s commandments given in the Word, are not burdensome because with a heart filled with God’s love, the commands become natural and desirable.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) We need faith to bring people to Christ, and as we continue to bring people to Christ, God fills our heart with his unconditional love. Love for God and people is what makes us obey his commands, because they become natural and desirable to us because we care about people, especially for lost souls.
We are now motivated by love, just as Jesus was motivated by perfect love. Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7) It’s a heart of love that truly connects our heart to the Father and to Christ, because we want people to be saved. And the more we obey his commands, the more love God places in our hearts, and the more motivated we become to help others and tell them about Christ.
But if we say we love God and don’t love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don’t love the people we can see? The commandment that God has given us is: “Love God and love each other! (1 John 4:20-21) God’s love is unconditional which means we love all people, and Satan is our only enemy. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12) People are not our enemy because we desire to bring Christ to everyone, and God is the final judge for everyone.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:44-45) Jesus tells us to love our enemy, which means we care about the person, but we hate the evil that comes from Satan. We pray for the Lord to free them from Satan and open their heart to receive Christ.
Today show love to Christ by obeying his commands, and pray for ways to bring Christ to others.
Prayer: Lord, continue changing my heart to obey your commands, and to bring others to Christ. In Jesus name, Amen