Truthfully, I myself have not always taken the Lord seriously. Shocker I know (sarcasm)… I’ve made up my own rules and justified my actions. I have completely ignored the Word and God’s promptings to obey Him. I’ve lived like there are no consequences and chose to rebel.
I thought I was going to be happy because I was doing what I wanted but I wasn’t. It only left me lonely and dried up. I was only experiencing temporary pleasure but what’s better- temporary pleasure or eternal pleasure? What will actually bring fulfillment, lasting joy, and true peace? Only in Jesus can we find a deeper purpose.
Below are 4 questions that will help us realize if we truly love the Lord.
- Are your moral standards God’s moral standards or have you modified them to your own desires?
- Do you realize how powerful the Lord truly is?
- Would others characterize you as a morally sound individual?
- Who are you when no one is around?
Look, I know society is degrading morally every moment but their standards aren’t yours! Just because something is lawful where you live doesn’t mean you should do it. Our standard comes from the Word and the Word alone.
Do you realize how powerful the Lord God is? News flash: He created the world and everything in it. Take a look at the mountains or the ocean… can you change anything about them in an instant? Obviously not but God can. He created the stars… can you even count them all?
The creator of the Universe, the One who sent His only Son Jesus to die for us, will one day judge us for our deeds. I can hear you saying right now, ‘but I thought we were redeemed, forgiven, and set free from eternal damnation’? You’re right, we were.
Does this mean we can live how we want because we prayed one prayer? Well sure if you DON’T have a healthy fear of the Lord and you don’t truly love Him. We still will be held accountable for our deeds. Especially those done after we have accepted Christ’s sacrifice for us. If you don’t take want to take my word for it, then read the verses below.
“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”
Hebrews 10:26-27
“How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ and again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Hebrews 10:29-31
Notice that the verse above when it says that we have “insulted the Spirit of grace” if we regard the blood of the covenant as unclean. This is a powerful statement that explains that we literally insult the Spirit of grace when we willfully disobey the Lord. I don’t’ know about you but I don’t want to do that!
If someone asks you to do something, do you just ignore them and do what you want anyway? Well maybe we can get away with this with some people but you can’t get away with disregarding God and what He calls us to do without consequences.
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:26
I’m not trying to scare you into believing in God or living right. What I am doing is explaining that You can’t outsmart God by sinning now and saying sorry later. You may think you’re getting away with things but God sees all. He knows your thoughts (Psalms 139:4). You aren’t fooling Him.
Alright, #3 is really stretching the limits but this is why… It’s easier to see the flaws in others but not always in ourselves. The Bible says that people will know us by our fruits, which is our actions.
Those who see us behind closed doors get to know us best. They see the side of you that no one else does. They see you on your bad days and when your crazy comes out. Or is that just me?
No, I’m not saying to literally go ask them what they think about you. I’m saying it matters what others see when you are being the real you. Consistency is key here no matter who is around. Meaning you’re not just on your best behavior around certain people or on Sundays.
Who are you when no one else is around? No one is around and you’re left to your own devices, so what do you do? This can be where we are tested the most at times. As we grow in maturity in the Lord and learn our own weaknesses, we will learn how to place boundaries in our life. We will know where we need to draw the line and with practice, we will grow stronger in the face of temptation. But ALWAYS be on guard.
If we truly love the Lord, we will fear and obey Him. @alattehope Click To Tweet
If we truly love the Lord, we will fear and obey Him. A fear that is out of reverence, not from obligation. Reverence meaning a deep respect of the Lord. It no other instance does God call us to fear anything or anyone.
So think about how you would truthfully answer those 4 questions above to test your love for the Lord. We all need to start taking action steps towards truly loving the Lord. Remember that love is action, not a weak passive thing.
A Prayer For You
Lord, please forgive us for not regarding You as we should. Show us how to love and honor You with everything we say and do. Keep us from the temptation to give in to anything that doesn’t line up with Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.
*The scriptures above are all quoted from the NIV version.
Let me know your thoughts on this topic below in the comments!
Stay hopeful!
3 Comments
You are right and you are bold to say so. So many take sin so lightly.
Thank you Oneta! God bless!