Just how strong is your love for God? Most people would proclaim loud and long that their love for God is strong and firm. That is the way ones 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 ones actions.
Just how strong is your love for God when it comes to studying and obeying His word? In the 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 man’s way (Isa. 55:8, 9).
The Bible is a tool. Just like tools we use in all other aspects of life. A carpenter needs a hammer, a cook needs pans, a painter needs brushes, and a Christian needs a Bible. The carpenter, cook and painter need to know how to use the tools of their profession. Likewise, the Christian needs to know how to use the Bible.
The Bible needs to be used offensively and defensively. The solider needs protection against the enemy’s weapons; God has provided His soldier’s the armor they need (Eph. 6:11-18).
The Bible shows 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. On one occasion he was to wait for Samuel to come and offer up sacrifices for him, but he chose to offer the sacrifice himself, (i.e. I Samuel3). Later this same king was told to totally destroy a people, but he decided to save some of the best things, (I Samuel 15). Now Saul wanted to proclaim his love and service to God, but his fruit showed a different story.
Mankind must never forget that man was created to worship and love God. Man is the creation He is the creator. Men are to serve Him. All the blessings that His word tells us about are there for us if we will follow Him.
The world has the idea that man can do just about whatever he wants, and God will still save him. God has never promised salvation to one who will not obey Him. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven (Matt. 7:21 God’s desire is for our salvation. We must have faith in God, repent of our sins, confess that Jesus is God’s Son and be baptized for the remission of our sins. God’s love for us is strong, how strong is our love for God?