Organizing the Inside – Day 271 A Love For The Things Of God

May 31, 2012 at 8:15 pm · Filed under Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Love, Relationship, Women's Ministry and tagged: Faithful Servant, God, Jesus, Love, Love God, The Things of God

“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’Matthew 25:23 (NLT)

What does it mean to have a love for the things of God?  Let’s say I was planning a trip to Europe and was scheduled to be abroad for six months? While on this trip I couldn’t take anything with me. I had to entrust the things I valued most to my closest friend. If that friend loves me, they are going to take care of my things; especially those things that are important to me. Additionally the things that are associated with my name are also going to be important to my friend and need to be looked after. The important things would primarily be my family, but especially my children.  Perhaps, I’d want my friend to take care of my ministry and those things that I have labored to support, like my garden, or home. I would likely want to have my bills paid, as this would also protect my good name and reputation. My friend would take care of any special commitments that I’ve made to others, and even look after my pets.

How does one know if they have a love for the things of God?
Such a simple and uncomplicated question, yet discovering the truth may not be that simple. Part of the evidence of your love for God is proven by the way you care for those things that are important to Him. Only you and God really know the truth, your heart will guide you and the Holy Spirit will strengthen you to make the right choices as your love for God grows even stronger.

1. Ask yourself do you care for the Body of Christ? Do you love the brethren? The “Body of Christ” which is the church; the children of God are near and dear to God’s heart. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. John 21:17 (NLT) If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?  1 John 4:20 (NLT)

2. Do you know where your loyalties lie?  “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Luke 16:13 (NIV)

3. Do you love the things of the world? You really can’t love God and the things of God if you love the things of the world. Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15 (NLT)

4. Have you torn down the idols in your life? God wants to take you into the land that He has promised. Is there an accursed thing that can be found in your midst? Consider this, do you have old ungodly music, DVDs, books, etc. that you are holding on to? These represent those things that unbelievers cling to; these are idols and as Christians who love and care for the things of God we must remove them from among our own possessions. Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Joshua 7:11 (KJV) Think about all your choices and if there is anything you have allowed to become more important to you than God.

5. Do you care for the physical things of God like the environment, the animals and your own body? A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Proverbs 12:10 (NIV) Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20

6. Are you cheerful about obeying God’s Word? Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”  John 14:21 (NLT) Is it a difficult chore to do what is right? For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5:3 (KJV)

7. Is your hope and glory eternal? To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: Romans 2:7 (KJV)

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