“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom.8:38-39).
It is always reassuring to read in God’s Word about His love for us. The Word also teaches us to love God. “Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:29-30) . This instruction from Jesus points to a deep, passionate, active and all-consuming love for God. So how do we demonstrate our love for God? What can we give to God to show that we love Him.
Here is guidance from the Word about how to show our love for God.
- “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Rom.12:1).
- I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal.2:20).
- “Sanctify yourselves therefore and be ye holy, for I am the LORD your God.” (Lev.20:7).
- “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)
- “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1John 4:16).
- I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” (Prov.8:17).
The above verses tell us that our lives should show our love for God. Our love for Him is real when we live according to His commandments, when we become separated from the world and its attractions and when we diligently seek Him. This message is for all of us to reflect on our lives to assess to what extent our lives is a testimony of our love for God. We should consider truthfully whether we diligently seek him by spending time with Him and reading His Word to get to know Him. Do we know His commandments and how He wants us to conduct our lives? Are there things we do daily rather than dedicating time to be in His presence, for example, do we daily watch our favourite tv programme but find it tiresome to daily read the Bible? We cannot serve two masters, for either we will hate the one and love the other, or we will be devoted to the one and despise the other (Matt. 6:24).
MY PRAYER
Father AhaYah, thank you that you are eternally loving and patient with us. Please forgive us for not loving You as You are worthy to be loved. Father, please instruct us and teach us Your way. Please counsel us with Your eye upon us. Aman.