God’s Love for You…Your Love for God

 

There is no question God cares for you.  Scripture reveals repeatedly the depth of God's love.  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).  We have this confidence, then; “Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

 

You can have complete trust, then, in God's faithfulness for you.  However, what about your faithfulness to God?  More than anything else, God wants you to enjoy a relationship with Him in His Son.  God desires your fellowship so much, He sent His Son to die for your sins that fellowship would be possible.  Is that your heart's desire?  Does a relationship with God mean more to you than anything else in life?

 

You see, it’s easy to talk about loving God and Christ, but what does that mean, personally?  It's more than words, because Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matt. 7:21).  It's more than just feelings, or emotions, because love can grow cold (Matt. 24:12).  Jesus said, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10).  God's relationship with us is every day.  Our relationship with Him should be every day, to live for Him, in Him, and with Him, every day.

 

If you talk of a relationship with God, but have no time for Him in the details of life, is that really a relationship?  There is a saying that goes “Talk is cheap.” Words are powerful, and often positive expressions that can encourage others. The question is, beyond talk, if we have time for Him in real and practical ways in our lives. How can we know? Ask yourself this question. If God responded to you like you respond to Him, would you call that a relationship?  If you never knew if He could be found, would that be faithfulness?  If God only means something to you when you need Him, is that fellowship?  I don't doubt many "feel" something for God, but it's not real love, Biblical love, a genuine relationship with Him.

 

Here is how God defines a relationship.  “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me” (John 14:21). Knowing the love of God for us, we respond in humble submission to Him, allowing Him to work out His good will for us. Does this describe your walk with Him?

 

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

 

Robert