Day 251: Love is a Verb

1 John 2; 2 Chronicles 35; Psalm 89:38-52

"When we obey God, we are sure that we know him. But if we claim to know him and don't obey him, we are lying and the truth isn't in our hearts. We truly love God only when we OBEY him as we should and then we know that we belong to him. If we say we are his, we must follow the example of Christ."

Loving God isn't an emotion. So often we think that during our music time at church that we are "loving" God through singing to him, and while that may be a little bit true, the measure of our love of God is in our actions. Loving God is a VERB. We love God when we DO, ACT, GO, LIVE, OBEY. These are powerful words and I cannot help but think of the thousands of "Christians" who say they "love God" but don't demonstrate it with any of their actions. Christ's word that he loved us wouldn't have been enough to offer salvation to the world; he had to demonstrate his love by dying, by acting, by sacrificing. Actions. It's similar in marriage. It isn't enough just for me to say I love Austin. If I turn around and disrespect him in front of other people, or live adulterously, then I don't truly love him. I love him by trusting him, respecting him, being completely faithful to him. God wants the same devotion from us: Love him by doing, acting, obeying, not just with words.

This chapter goes on to talk about loving the world. Same deal: love is an action. if we act like the world and do what the world does, then we are demonstrating our love for the world. and "if you love the world, you cannot love the Father." It's hard. I get that. But it is so worth it to love (obey) God and not live or love this world.

For the Passover celebration Josiah and some of his officials donated animals to the people for sacrifices. They were willing and ready to give up much of their own stuff so that others could be made right with God. Josiah cared so much about God's favor and the people's obedience that he donated a bunch. Do I, do we, also feel that same way? Do we want so badly to give people an opportunity to get in touch with God that we are willing to sacrifice some of our stuff? Stuff like time, money, possessions? Because of Josiah's faithfulness, this "was the greatest Passover celebration in Israel's history!" Way to go Josiah!

The speaker of this psalm concludes in a dark place. They feel alone, rejected by God, with the meaning of life drained out. Yet, at the very end, it says, "Our Lord, we praise you forever, Amen and amen." Wow, in the midst of darkness and despair, they praise God! That takes some presence of mind and spirit. I pray that when we face trials in our lives that we would have the faith to give glory and praise to our Father no matter what.