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When asked, more people than not, would say they love God. From these, how many could say, with honesty, that they actually keep His commandments? Many fewer.
The criterion for loving God is not merely an acknowledgement that sounds something like, "Yeah, yeah, I love God, " when asked if one loves God. Those who actually love God are they who keep His commandments.
That's not a big, hairy deal. Its not oppressive or burdensome. Its not a straight laced, have no fun, goody two shoe kind of thing. Remember we have liberty in Christ and the truth sets us free. We have joy in the Lord!
John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
What are His commandments? It's the keep God first and walk in love commandment. If all the law and all the words for all the books of all the prophets were hung on one peg, that peg would be called Matthew 22:36-40.
Matthew 22:36-40
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.This is the first and great commandment.And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
When we love God with everything we've got, we are practicing His presence all day long, everyday, in fellowship with Him. Go to God in prayer, and seek His Word. Love Him in word, as evidenced by the words coming out of our mouth. Love Him in deed, as evidenced by our actions.
John 14:23
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
1John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. [burdensome]
It's a joy to keep God first and love others.
John14:21
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
The word manifest in this passage is the Greek word "emphanizo." It is used ten times and is translated "appear," "declare plainly," "inform," "manifest," " show" and "signify." It means to exhibit in person or to declare by words.
When we love God and keep His commandments, then God and Christ make their dwelling place in us. We receive Christ in us. We receive the gift of holy spirit. Not only do we receive Christ in us, (who is exhibited to us in person,) but also, He declares himself unto us with words ( by revelation.) That's pretty cool!
1 Corinthians 8:3
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
When we love God and love our neighbor, it cannot be hidden. People will experience for themselves the love we give outwardly. Others will benefit from all those walking in the spirit, operating the spiritual abilities God has given, because they will be loved, helped, healed, saved, and ministered unto.
Amen.
-Carol Kenreigh
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