In the previous article we introduced the subject of “Faith in God.” Another area we can know if we are like those faithful men and women of the Bible is if we love God as we should. Sometimes in a discussion with someone about the scriptures they might respond by saying, “I have never heard it put that way. Those definitions are foreign to me.” They might not be use to hearing words defined in such a fashion. It is often because the language used to describe Biblical principles by some religious groups, are foreign to the things taught in Scripture.

We are living in a world where words are very loosely defined; words have multiple meaning, depending on who is saying what and when. Well, the Bible is not designed that way. When God says something he means it. He means exactly what he said. One of those words or phrases, which is often incorrectly defined or misrepresented, is love. We hear people of all walks speak of love. "I love God, He loves me."

If a man were to tell a woman that he loves her with all his heart, there are certain things she is naturally going to expect to follow. She would expect him to treat her with respect and concern. She would expect him to protect her against harm. She would expect him to remember her birthday, anniversary and other special occasions. She would expect definite things from him. If these things do not come, then the woman has to reassess his words. If he tells her he loves her, and never calls again, or does not follow through with other commitments than there will be doubts in her mind.

Jesus defines what loving God means. In Matt 22:36-40 the Bible says, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him," 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' "This is the first and great commandment. (39) "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself. "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” The whole law and prophets hangs on this command and the one like it. If you fulfill these two commands you would not even need the rest of the law as law, only as statements of what God desired to see.

We are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. How is that done? Let's look at 1Jn 5:2-3, where it is defined again. John writes, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”

By obeying we demonstrate to God that we are devoted to him, that we appreciate him, that we seek to please him, that we (dare I say it) love him. This is also true of our Savior Jesus Christ. Note the following verses. John 14:15-"If you love Me, keep My commandments”. John 14:21-24-"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.” John 15:9-"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” That is love defined by the Bible. Do you love God enough to submit fully to his word? Many people claim they love God but they walk in their own paths. In Matt 7:21-23-"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” To reject the words of the Bible will only bring condemnation because they prove a lack of love toward God.

Conclusion

We need to have faith in the promises of God and be willing to sacrifice all for him, because he sacrificed all for us. Demonstrate your faith and your love by obeying God, and he will deliver you. When individuals of the N.T. times were taught the Gospel, they demonstrated their love by obeying the glad tiding of our Lord. He instructed His disciples to make disciples of all the nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. They did exactly that. Individuals were saved by a strict adherence (obedience) to God's word. And many years later the apostle Peter wrote in his first epistle. 1Pet 3:20-21. Baptism now saves us!!!! The verse says, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. (21) There is also an antitype which now saves us-- baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”