By
Ron Thomas There are many who say they love God, but
when asked how one can show love to God, they come up short – that is, they are
uncertain how to answer or even what the correct answer is. They might say
something like “Well, I know my own heart and I know there is a God, and there
is no chance I’ll deny Him – so I know I love God!” This sound commendable, but
is it accurate? Perhaps someone will say “Since God is love and He loves
everyone, it seems to me that is good, so I’ll return the response.” This
sounds less commendable, but it may reflect some who express their love for
God. Do you remember the song that was a hit
back in the mid-1980s, “I want to know what love is”? How many would sing that
song and be able to relate with it perfectly? However, many there may be,
knowing what love is, is as simple as knowing the Lord. In truth, knowing the
Lord and His definition of love is better than anything that comes from the
mind of man, don’t you think? I do! Those who say they love God but do not obey
Him simply do not know what love is. They will tell you they do and, I suppose,
in a limited sense, they do. Their standard, however, is not that which belongs
to the Lord; thus, they are confused about the application of what love is.
With this confusion, there is an influence extended to others and they, too,
become confused (parents to children, for instance). In effect, they have no love for God at
all! How can this be? It is this way because the
privilege of saying “I love God” and it being accepted by the Lord does not
belong to the one saying it! Knowledge is the foundation upon which one’s
personal philosophy of life is lived. If there is no knowledge of what love is,
then it’s not possible for one to exhibit what is unknown. Some understand this
and seek to gain what they don’t have. Others, care not at all. They want to
live as they choose, substantive knowledge is of little value to them. For
others, there is a pretension of knowledge, but this knowledge is not based on
what the Scripture teaches, only what they think or want to think. Because of this, they both arrive at the
same destination, which is at the cliff’s edge. Sadly, the momentum is such
that they can’t stop and off they go! They made a choice to walk their own
paths, believing, perhaps, the adage, “many roads lead to heaven, choose the
one best or you.” |
- Ron Thomas preaches for the Church of Christ at Rio Grande in Bidwell, OH.
He may be contacted at etsop95@gmail.com |
Sunday, April 23, 2023
“I want to know what Love is”?
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