Love and the believer’s mission on earth (2)

In part one last week we established that the entire salvation plan is founded on the deep love God has for humanity. We talked about the characteristics of God’s love how it is demonstrated towards us.

We also established that God also wants to be loved back. As a matter of fact, the Bible says we are required to love God with all our heart, soul and might. And we saw the tremendous benefits of being a lover of God. We saw that a stunning destiny is packaged for lovers of God. Love for God is the primary key to securing a glorious destiny for yourself and for your children and children’s children. Love for God is the key to securing the covenant blessings for yourself and generations after you.

The question is: How do you love God?

What are the proofs you love Him?

Genesis 22:11-18, “And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. [12] And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. [13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. [14] And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. [15] And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, [16] And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: [17] That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; [18] And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”

Let me share with you five most important ways of demonstrating your love for God.

1. Obedience. Obedience is doing what pleases God and what He commands or instructs. “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” 1John 2:5, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1John 5:3
2. Selfless and cheerful service. Most people render service to God the way they render service to people: for pay. But we are to be motivated by love in our service to God. You will serve him cheerfully and unconditionally if you truly love him. However, the Bible says God rewards those who serve him. Job 36:11. He takes delight in prospering those who serve him. Psalm 35:27
3. Sacrificial Giving. The fundamental proof of love is giving to the one you love. I don’t consider anything too precious to give to my wife and family because I love them. And I don’t give to them because I’m expecting something; that will be manipulation. Those who love God passionately are willing to give anything and everything to him without thinking first ‘what’s in it for me?’ They surrender their lives and everything they have to him because they love him. Abraham proved his love for God by surrendering his only son Isaac when God demanded that he Isaac be sacrificed to him. This singular act was interpreted by God as the proof of Abraham’s love for him. (TEV) “Don’t hurt the boy or do anything to him,” he said. “Now I know that you honour and obey God, because you have not kept back your only son from him.” (NIRV) translated it ‘respect for God.’
4. Loving others unconditionally, especially other believers. Mercy is a key attribute of God and if we truly are his children, it should be our key attribute. You cannot claim to love God if you don’t love his children.
5. Witnessing to others about Jesus being the Saviour, getting them saved and making sure they abide. This is the primary key to the fullness of God. God loves saving the lost. And those who love God love what He loves. Besides, God commands us to do this. And those who love Him obey His command.

When the love of God is in place, obedience becomes cheap. When the love of God is in place, sacrificial giving becomes a walk over. When the love of God is in place, flourishing is inevitable.

How to get this dimension of love?

 You either have the love of God or you don’t have it. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. John 5:42

1. By being born again. Love is of God; you can’t get it from anywhere else. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1John 4:7

You can only get the love of God through Christ. “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39. The unbeliever is incapable of loving God.   It takes a regenerated heart to love God.

“And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.” Deuteronomy 30:6.

1. Through prayer. Apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesian church to be given the love of God. “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19
2. Through the Holy Spirit. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad (poured out) in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5

“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”  2Thessalonians 3:5

1. By growing in our understanding of Him. The more we know Him the deeper we fall in love with Him.
2. By walking in love. Love grows as it is practiced.

You need to keep yourself in the love of God. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 1:21

(AUV- An Understandable Version New Testament) says, “Keep yourselves in God’s love  [i.e.,  continue to love God],  as you look forward to  [receiving]  the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ,  [who will grant you]  never ending life.”

Keeping yourself in the love of God is a choice you make. You decide ‘I’m going to love God and I’m going to love Him passionately.’

As you do, the Lord will bless you beyond your wildest imagination. Become passionate about things and you emerge a champion and an icon in your generation.

Bishop Dr. Charles Olowojoba is the General Overseer of Dayspring Bible Church Worldwide with HQ in Abuja, Nigeria & President, Dayspring Christian Ministries Int’l.

Website: www.dayspringcmi.org

e-mail: [email protected]

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