Hosanna Restoration Church

This is a big question that Jesus asked and continues to ask. “Do you love me?” As God has been leading me through Hebrews and showing me new things about faith it has stirred an even greater desire in my heart to just declare to Him how much I love Him and how grateful I am to Him. His response brought to mind the command that Jesus gave to Peter. Feed my sheep. When Jesus spoke this to Peter it was not the end of the command. It was a command to everyone who would love Him. Remember God gave pastors, teachers, evangelist, and etc. for the purpose of preparing people to go out and prepare more people. So one way we can prove our love for God is to do just that.

This brought me back to Abraham and the people of faith. Abraham went out, not knowing where he was going, to a place that God promised to show him. Wow! That is trust and devotion to Almighty God for sure. As I thought about all I can recall of Abraham and the things He said and did, I am not certain that we ever hear him declaring his love and affection for God. In fact for the most part except for David, and the law that Moses brought down from the Mount telling the people to love the Lord their God, we do not see a lot of, “oh how I love you,” thoughts poured out toward God.

No wonder God talked so much about David and loved him so, even though David messed up big time. David openly and unashamedly declared his love for and dependence upon God for everything in his life.

Jesus came and took the command to love one step further. He told them, “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” Then he reduced the commandments by combining them all into two. Love God and love one another.

It requires faith to love God. Even though we do not see it expressed by many of the folks in the hall of faith, they had to have love for God along with trust and fear. It takes faith to love our enemies. It takes faith to love our friends at times! And it takes love to have the faith to do that.

Peter had already told Jesus he would go anywhere and do anything for him. He said he would even die for him. Then he denied Him three times. Jesus was helping him to see that love was more powerful than service. Devotion to anything without love is useless. It won’t last. Jesus wants us to realize that love will empower our service to him. Love will increase our faith and trust in Him. Love will cause us to feed others with our very lives. Love for God will enable to us to love like Jesus did and put others first trusting God to take care of us. Works reveal our faith. Faith without works is dead. Without love there are no good works or real faith. “Oh Lord you know that we love you!” Amen! Just take a moment and declare how you love Him right now. Now, doesn’t that feel good?