IS YOUR LOVE FOR THE LORD SINCERE?
DO YOUR ACTIONS PROVE YOUR LOVE IS REAL?
BIBLE PASSAGE:
Grace be with all them that love
our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
(Ephesians 6:24)
MEDITATION:
Does it ever seem to you that other believers are receiving more of
God’s blessings than you are? How does that make you feel? Does
it cause you to question your faith, or your relationship with the
Lord?
Paul mentions a love with sincerity that is not a superficial type of
love. Some mistakenly think being ‘religious’ creates an endearing
relationship with them and the Lord. However, God can see through
any type of artificial love.
For us to fellowship with the Lord, we need to do more to nourish
our relationship than just occasionally praying, reading the Bible
sometimes, and worshipping a few times Him with other believers.
A casual show of love for the Lord lacks the sincerity He desires of
us. He gives us His love and wants our love for Him in return. But
when we selfishly withhold our love for Him, our fellowship with
Him is thrown out of balance.
Some relationships in life can survive with occasional contact and
casual affection. But the requirements change considerably when
friendship becomes love. When two hearts give themselves to each
other, they are no longer two, but one. Instead of being separated,
their interests and paths begin to flow in a similar direction. Love
is fragile; distance and insincere affection can be fatal to real love
relationships.
Love gives all and it expects (must have) all in return, to maintain,
nourish, and improve relationships. A one-sided love relationship
will never grow and may not even last. Why? Because one person
is giving, but the other person is not. This creates a void in one side
of the relationship. An unbalanced relationship cannot grow and
will probably not survive.
However, a two-sided love is strong and can grow even stronger.
Each one is sensitive to, and cares about the needs of the other.
The Lord has shown His love and continues to show His love for
mankind. However, some who claim to be followers of Jesus are
content with receiving His love, but are giving nothing back in
return.
ACTION:
Think about your own life. If you give love but get nothing in return,
how does it make you feel? Some are good at saying they love others,
but they fail to show love through any actions that require sacrificing
their own time and desires.
How do you think the Lord feels toward those who are unwilling to
sacrifice time and personal desires to nourish their relationship with
Him? What kind of love relationship do you have with the Lord?
Have you allowed your selfishness to create a one-sided type of love
relationship with God?
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Son, and all He
has done for me. Thank You, Jesus, for your expression
of love toward me and for how you have blessed me in
many ways. Forgive me for not being more appreciative
of Your love for me. Forgive me for being neglectful of
doing the things that show my love for You is sincere.
Forgive me for not being dedicated and consistent in
praying, reading the Bible and interacting with You and
other believers. Help me to organize my life and priorities
so You will become a greater part of my days. I know that
You love me and I want to show my sincere love for You
in return.”
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