It is an interesting question. Ask any Christian, and they will respond with yes, of course, I love God.
I am saying that their answer is wrong, but how do you tell? Is there a way to truly know that you love him?
A doctor told my mother that her body would not carry the baby to full term. He suggested that she go home, get in bed and wait for nature to take its course.
She went home but knelt and cried out to God instead of getting into bed. “If you give me this child,” she said, “I will raise him to serve you.”
God heard her prayer and answered it.
My mother kept her word, and I have been in church my entire life.
I used to joke that I have slept under more pews than most people have sat in!
I was always in church.
I share the story because I have known God my entire life. There have been times when I was closer than others, but I have never walked away or turned my back on him.
So, the answer to my question would be a resounding yes.
But can you know beyond your position as a “Christian” that you love God?
As it turns out, Jesus addresses the question (maybe because he knew I would ask it) during his time with his followers.
If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.
I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you with another Friend so that you will always have someone with you.
This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!
I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back.
In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive.
At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.
The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.
John 14:15-21 The Message
If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.
In other words, my actions speak louder than words.
By doing what I don’t want to do, I am saying, “I love you, Jesus.”
However, my actions have a condition.
I show God my love, by doing what Jesus says to do.
There are two parts to this.
There is the general part where I obey the written word of God, love you neighbor, do unto others…, and such. (John 14:21—keeping his commandments)
The other part comes from a close personal relationship with the Godhead. (John 14:12-20—the ministry of God the Holy Spirit)
In this text, Jesus speaks about the ministry of the Holy Spirit being present with you.
As the active agent of the Godhead on the earth, it is vital to know God the Holy Spirit.
This close personal relationship speaks to you about specific things concerning your walk with God.
If instance, I was recently prompted by the Holy Spirit to commit to a time of fasting. The Bible speaks about fasting, and Christ’s followers are too fast. This is the general part of obeying God’s word.
My close personal relationship with the Godhead prompted me to fast. This is the second part of obeying his words.
These acts show that I love God.
Why?
Because I am willing to obey him even when doing something I am not fawn of doing—not eating.
It is more in-depth than that, but I hope you understand the point.
The purpose of fasting is to draw close to God using the times you would typically have a meal to seek his face.
Jesus concluded his thought in this text by saying, “And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.”
What an incredible feeling to be loved by the Father.
God the Father shows his love to us in simple ways that are often missed because we do not recognize them.
Sometimes it can be a memory that flashes across your mind that brings a smile. Perhaps a kind word from a total stranger when you are feeling down. It can even be a sunset or something in nature that momentarily grabs your attention and puts a smile on your heart.
Jesus also said that he—God the Son—will make himself plain to you.
I have had a few of those experiences in my life. I trust you have as well.
One day, while praying, I strongly sensed his presence. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his shilloute. The experience was overwhelming.
My focus is to encourage you to find a close personal relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
It is not found in doing (attending meetings, passing out tracts, or reading so many minutes from the Bible). These things have their place but do not bring you into a close personal relationship.
A close personal relationship is found in being still before him, meditating on a scripture verse, and learning to discern his voice from all the others in the world.
It is a marathon, and not a sprint—meaning it is a journey for you to enjoy.
A close personal relationship with the Godhead is needed now more than ever.
A close personal relationship with the Godhead is a journey. I invite you to follow along. As I learn, I will pass it along so you, too, can learn. I hope that as you learn, you can pass it along so that I (and others) might learn.