What It Means To "LOVE" Jesus
Examining what Jesus defined as a genuine expression of love for him! Does your "love" measure up to his standards?
Do you love someone the way they want to be loved, or in the way that you want to be loved?
Chances are you've encountered at least one person who's claimed to "love Jesus". If you haven't, I'm almost certain you've seen someone on social media claiming to love him. If you search deeper you'll find that there are those who claim to love him so deeply that they're willing to die for him! This sort of "Love" is often seen in other countries outside of America; most Americans are not readily willing to part with the comforts of life and family.
Did you know that there are approximately 2.6 billion people professing to love Jesus!
Despite the vast number of claimants, Jesus, himself stated that all of these claims are not entirely genuine. As a matter of fact, Jesus noted that many individuals (i.e. 2.6 Billion!) will call him "Lord, Lord" but will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 7:21, KJV
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven..."
Carefully consider, it is only the professing Christians who address Jesus as "Lord"
This should be highly ALARMING!
And yet very few Christians heed the warning!!
Did you know that Jesus revealed within the New Testament text exactly how you can determine which claims are genuine, separate from those claims that are false?
It's Absolutely True!
Jesus declared within the scriptures that there is a sure, unquestionable way to know if an individual genuinely loves him.
IT'S AN AMAZING REVELATION!!
Jesus said to his disciples that the ones who truly have a genuine love for him will do what he requires according to his teachings and commands. One of those requirements was steadfast loyal devotion in carrying out the will of his Father in Heaven.
Jesus clarified, if anyone loves me, he will keep my word:
John 14:23, KJV
"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."
"Keeping" the words of Jesus exclusively references STEADFAST DEVOTION! Jesus' response is clear - It is the demonstration of adherence to his teachings and commandments that verify the claim as true!
John 14:15, KJV
"If ye love me, keep my commandments"
Jesus is literally declaring to PROVE the genuineness of your claim! (2 Corinthians 13:5, KJV)
To be clear, Your actions are not a result of your claim, but a demonstration that your professed love is genuine.
In the scriptures Jesus noted to those who made the claim to love him, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but do not the things I say??"(Luke 6:46, KJV)
The claim alone does not bring about adherence, otherwise the entire 2.6 Billion claims would be genuine! With most professions of faith or declared devotions (i.e. marriage), the claim/profession must be confirmed with manifested acts that are in complete alignment with the claim. Jesus declared within the scriptures that those who claim to "love" him while yet occasionally rebelling against his teachings and commands, are in fact, liars! They do not love him! Their claim is false!!
1 John 2:4, KJV
"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth (adhereth) not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him"
1 John 3:6, KJV
"Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him"
Jesus said that the one who has his commandments; those who have diligently invested in understanding his true message and understands clearly what he requires for one to be a genuine disciple- and upon knowing- makes an informed decision to steadfastly and devotedly follow him- these are the one's that truly love him. Their Christian claim, is in fact, true and genuine (John 14:21-24, KJV).
The Apostle Paul noted, in his time, that there were many who were rebellious and full of empty talk and deception (Titus 1:10). They profess to know God, but by their very actions, they deny him!
Titus 1:16, KJV
"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate"
Are you among those who address Jesus as "Lord"?
Consider, What do your actions reveal about you? Since your confession of faith (granted you've learned the true message of Jesus) have you committed sin; a single act of disobedience (rebellion) against his teachings and commands?
This is a WARNING sign unto you!
This is a clear Biblically aligned sign that what you are claiming does not align with the evidence of your behavior. In fact, there is a greater desire within your heart to occasionally fulfill the lusts of your flesh, above honoring the teachings and commands of Jesus!
Jesus' words haunts those who falsely profess to be a Christian; claiming Jesus as their "Lord" ...even as they were in the act of sin- "Why do you call me Lord, Lord and yet do not the things I've said?"
Can you relate to this? Are you among the many "professing" Christians who still desire sin and occasionally choose sin over the teachings and commands of Jesus?
This is a demonstration that your heart is still bound to sin (John 8:34, KJV), and you have not been given what Jesus promised to genuine professing Christians - FREEDOM!
John 8:36, KJV
"If the son therefore shall make you FREE, you SHALL BE FREE INDEED!"
The reality: If you are still committing sin while claiming to be a Christian...
You are still in bondage to sin!
You are only HOPING to be set Free, but not actually Free!
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!
The difference, according to the New Testament scriptures, will be the determining factor, if you will in fact, be welcomed by Jesus into the Kingdom of Heaven...or rejected.
Those who have proved their profession to be true by expressing their love for Jesus in the way in which he has determined, through steadfast obedience, have literally been set free from the bondage of sin.
Jesus set them FREE!
According to the New Testament text, those who are in bondage to sin will not be free to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; they are void of the true spirit of Jesus, the very thing by which he identifies them as his own.
If you are NOT FREE, and seek to be FREE from the bondage of sin, make the commitment today to invest in the necessary Biblical knowledge and skills to stop sinning:
Watch this video to learn more about what it means to genuinely love Jesus:
