He That Loveth

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We hear all the time about “God is Love” and truly it is His love in us that sets us apart from the rest of the world. But what does that love look like?

The Word of God is very specific about how we are to love; what defines love. 

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Everyone wants to love God but few want to keep His commandments!

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:3-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Loving God is not like loving puppies or chocolate! Loving God requires obedience!

“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.” Matthew‬ ‭22:37-40‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Loving God requires putting Him first above all; everyone else and yourself! It means you love nothing more than Him, including your children or your spouse! He’s number One! Then comes EVERYONE else! And you are last! And it’s not just how you feel, it’s how you act! Love requires results!

Sometimes the best way to tell what something “is”, is by looking at what it “isn’t!”

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”  ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Loving “not” is much easier than loving, but “not loving” is not an option. Loving the unlovable takes the love of God in us! It takes a determination to obey because we love Him; whether we feel like it or not! The world loves “not” because of what people do or don’t do! The world is not forgiving! The world holds a grudge! The world’s love is conditional. You do this and I will love you! Yet we are commanded to love in spite of everything!

The hardest to love are the ones who love us. We often take for granted they will love and accept us no matter what, and in doing so show them less love than a stranger. We often are hateful and speak with contempt to those closest to us (spouses and children) yet show courtesy to a stranger. This just shows what is really in our heart - not love!

The biggest issue is loving the things of the world! 

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When You love God with all of your heart the “things” of the world mean nothing to you! All the glitz; all the glamour pale in His light! The promises of the world are lies; illusions that never bring happiness or contentment! If any it is fleeting; nothing to hold onto! The only satisfaction in this life is in our relationship with our Creator! He sustains; He completes; He fulfills!

His love in us, poured out on others is what our life is about! It’s not about our satisfaction; it’s about satisfying Him! Then and only then are we satisfied!

Examine your heart! Repent for the lack of love there and ask Him to pour His love in you, so that you may love like Him! If He requires it - He will make it possible! You just need to ask! 

Even so - MARANATHA 

From 11/22/17