Feel the Love

In John 14:21, Jesus says – Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. This makes it clear that love-motivated obedience does result in greater revelations and experiences of God’s love. This is not a change in God’s love for you, but a change in your experience of God’s love for you. And this manifestation Jesus speaks of doesn’t mean visions and powers and such. It means you experience a more profound sweetness, intimacy, and intensity in your walk with God.  

I’m about to repeat two very famous sayings. They go together, and they have been said many times over many years by many people, and they are both true. The first one is this: If you are a Christian, there is nothing you can do to make God love you less. Hallelujah. The second one is this: If you are a Christian, there is nothing you can do to make God love you more. Amen.

If you are a Christian, there is nothing you can do to make God love you less, and there is nothing you can do to make God love you more. These are powerful and profound truths. I need to know that God loves me just the same when I fail him. Because I often fail him. And I need to know that I cannot earn more love from God. Because I often try to earn his love. 

These are truths that all Christians need. They help you combat your fear and your pride. But I think people often take these truths and misapply them to their lives. They take these truths about God’s love for his children, and think it means that it doesn’t matter what you do. But it does. And let me tell you how.

Yes, if you are a Christian, you can’t stop God from loving you. But you can stop experiencing the love of God. God is pouring out his love on you like rain. But Christians can put up an umbrella. God will continually feed you, but you can get out of the lunch line. The father never stopped loving the Prodigal Son, but until that son came back home, he didn’t experience the blessing of being with his father. You cannot change your union with Christ. But you can have an effect on your communion with Christ. 

When you’re stubborn, defiant, rebellious and willfully resisting God, there is a price to pay. You may not think it is happening, but it is. You may just shrug it all off because you feel good and things are going well. But you are settling for a lesser experience with God. Unless your god is your comfort, that is.

Yes, following Jesus will cost you. The gift of salvation is free, but the cost of discipleship is high. If you want to move forward with God, you don’t get to walk back the other way. And it can hurt when you have to lose in order to win. But the pain of changing is far less than the price of not changing. And the results are far better.

If you want to feel the love, then show the love. Start by going to God in prayer. Take responsibility and repent of your sins. Ask God to forgive you for grieving the Holy Spirit. Give thanks because you know that Jesus wants you to have a renewed experience his love. And then, act on it all by faith. And here is how. Galatians 5:13 says – For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. You have the freedom to choose. So, the next time you feel like indulging in sin, find some way to serve someone else instead of serving your flesh. Yes, it may hurt, but it will also help. And it is the way of hope. It is walking with God. And the closer your walk, the greater your experience.   

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©