Loving God – Part 3: Signs of Possessing Genuine Love for God and His Word
-
What (then) are (and are not) the signs that we do possess genuine love for God and His Word?
3.1. What Are:
3.1.1. You are faithful to (quickly) obey God’s Word (Joh 14:15).
3.1.2. You spend time reading, hearing or studying His Word (Psa 119:48)
3.1.3. You get angry/frustrated w/those who disobey God and His Word (2Ch 19:2; Psa 26:5, 97:10, 119:53).
3.1.4. You prefer to be where God’s presence (i.e. the church) and people dwell (i.e. the church) over any other place on earth (Psa 16:3, 26:8, 122:1-6).
3.1.5. You love God’s people in deed (not just words) (Mat 25:31-40; 1Jo 3:18 w/4:20-21 – this includes forgiving one another, being long-suffering and promoting unity versus division– Eph 4:1-3; Col 3:12-14).
3.1.6. You persevere (in faithfulness and w/o getting angry at God) during trials (i.e. you pass the test of love – 1Th 2:4).
3.1.7. You are broken when you sin (Jam 4:8-9 = through such brokenness you demonstrate that you want to be near to God – i.e. that you love Him; 2Co 6:14-18 is the context for 7:1-11 = bc they in the past, DID love God, they were broken over their sin).
3.1.8. You possess a backbone and are bold for God and His Word (1Ti 1:5; this means also you are not ashamed of Christ or His gospel – Rom 1:16).
3.2. What Are Not: Simply feelings/affection for God (affection w/o loyalty only makes you a prostitute); b/c you say you love God (talk is cheap).