The love of God
How are we supposed to know if our love for God is the way it is ought to be? Another way to ask this question is, "What does the authentic love of God look like? John gives us a couple of ways to know if we are loving God as we should. (I John 5:3) Let's look at what he says and apply it to our lives.
We can know we love God when we keep His commandments. Notice, I said when we keep His commandments, not just when we want to keep His commandments. When we really love another person, we do what they want us to do, especially what they command us to do. Remember, love is a choice to do the right thing for another person. Well, when they truly desire for us to do something good and right, we will be compelled by love to do it, and do it well.
However, the second part is even better. When our love is right, the commandments will not be burdensome for us to do. We will enjoy keeping the commandments, because it is always a joy to do what is motivated by love, not duty. Love is an option we have, while duty is mandatory. God does not want to burden us with His commands. He wants us to be able to joyfully obey them as an expression of our love for Him. When we get to that place, we truly have the love of God that is pleasing to Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read III John, Jude, and Revelation 1.
We can know we love God when we keep His commandments. Notice, I said when we keep His commandments, not just when we want to keep His commandments. When we really love another person, we do what they want us to do, especially what they command us to do. Remember, love is a choice to do the right thing for another person. Well, when they truly desire for us to do something good and right, we will be compelled by love to do it, and do it well.
However, the second part is even better. When our love is right, the commandments will not be burdensome for us to do. We will enjoy keeping the commandments, because it is always a joy to do what is motivated by love, not duty. Love is an option we have, while duty is mandatory. God does not want to burden us with His commands. He wants us to be able to joyfully obey them as an expression of our love for Him. When we get to that place, we truly have the love of God that is pleasing to Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read III John, Jude, and Revelation 1.