Important question for us all. Do we love Jesus Christ, even though we haven't seen Him? If we do love Him, we will obey His commandments, and we will tend and feed His sheep. Never perfectly, but nevertheless, there shall be fruit, from the fruit of love.
Peter writes to the churches in Asia: "Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered....Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: ...Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory". 1 Peter 1:1-8
There may be times when we fall, even into grievous sin, but the Spirit will convict, and the Father will never let go of His genuine beloved, however He shall chastize us, which is a good thing indeed. Our Father loves us in Christ too much to not discipline, and correct His elect children.
Peter wept bitterly when he denied his Lord three times. And the weeping came soon after he saw His Savior look at him. The love Peter had for his Lord, I believe, was more powerful than any other power on this earth, and so Peter's heart was broken, and he was overwhelmed with sorrow for his sin against His beloved Lord and Friend, which love only takes root in our hearts from the Holy Spirit, who abides with all of God's elect.
There also shall be many who will say they believe, but their faith will be in vain, and will be a devils faith, and even worse, because the devils believe and tremble (James 2:19), nevertheless these false disciples don't tremble.
"Thus says the LORD, The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool: ...to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My Word." Isaiah 66:1-2
2 comments:
Don,
What a question to take with me this morning- "Do I love Him?" I prayed about that and actually by the sheer grace of God, a tear came to my eye- "Yes! I do!" Why? Because He loved me first, and He claimed me for Himself! And now, I just want to obey Him and show my love to Him.
Bless you for this reflection, my friend.
He loved us first. Amen Gregory.
Thanks for stopping by brother.
I had to help Patti in the nursery Sunday. Missed Nat's sermon, but the worship, and missionary sharing how the Lord's word of grace is going forth, was edifying, and glorified the Lord.
The song we sang by Stuart Townend was new to me. It was a well written song.
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