08/16/2024 – Do You Love Me?
John 21: 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
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We glorify Christ when we demonstrate our love for Him. The risen Christ demands more than faith. He demands your love. This is the ultimate virtue: to love Christ. He has earned our faith; but above all, He has earned our love. He said: whoever loves mother and father more than me is not worthy of me (Matthew 10:37)
We do not even know how much we love Christ. But we know this: we love the Lord! We have failed Him and denied Him many more times than Peter. But His love will overcome. He is able to produce in us the fruit of love. How do you know if you love Christ? Is it possible to desire the benefits of His power and not love Him? Can someone even believe in the mind that He is the Son of God and not love Him?
To love God fully is the first and most important commandment not because God needs our love. Our love for God is the most righteous deed and the strongest force for good in our lives. If you have any love for Christ, you are blessed beyond measure. Our actions and words may have denied our love for Christ; but He know those who love Him.
We demonstrate our love for Christ in our service to His people. Three times the Lord commended to Peter: demonstrate your love for me by feeding my sheep. You will know the extent of your love for me in the extent that you are able to love my people.