Just how strong is our love for God? Most people would proclaim loud and long that their love for God is strong and firm. That is the way our love for God OUGHT to be.
There should never be any question of our love for God, and we sure should never give anyone reason to wonder about our love for God.
Jesus in one of His lessons said this, “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:16-20). The idea expressed here has to do with the actions of individuals and what is portrayed to others by those actions. So much is said by our actions. Those who only occasionally assemble to worship God have a hard time impressing their neighbors that God is important to them. Their fruits say something else.
Just how strong is our love for God when it comes to studying and obeying His word? In our busy world many fail to study for themselves. This is dangerous; each person needs to study the Bible to know what God wants them to do for their salvation. We need to know we are doing spiritual things according to God’s way and not men’s way (Isa. 55:8, 9).
It is easy to listen to someone teaching or preaching and be lulled into thinking what they are saying is true. What is needed is for all listeners to be like the Bereans and “search the scriptures daily” to make sure the truth is being taught.
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Paul told the young man Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). If we truly love God surely we will find time to study His word.
The Bible shows us individuals who wanted to serve God their way. King Saul was one such person; he wanted the blessings of God and wanted to serve God as long as it fit in his schedule of things. So many people are trying to serve God his way. It cannot be done. In our next segment we will look more closely at King Saul’s mistake.