Do You Love Me?

“I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me;

remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you].”

John 15:9

 

 

I am certain I have made this point in the blog before but here I go again...

Our ‘love’ too often has innumerable strings attached.

I will love you if...

I will love you when...

I will love you only because...

We stipulate the terms of our commitment and then wonder why the relationship didn’t last.

If a small child doesn’t get their way we may be in for a tantrum from them.

The same is true for an adult even though the ‘tantrum’ may not unfold by rolling on the floor accompanied with screaming and crying.

It is immature behavior regardless of the age of the one exhibiting it.

An evidence of our spiritual maturity is when we continue to love God even when we don’t get our way.

“Not my will, but yours be done.”

Have you ever heard those words before?

Jesus did not make that declaration lightly.

He wasn’t facing a day without lunch.

We all know what He was facing and yet His love for the Father never faltered.

I cannot say the same and be honest with you.

God loves me and He continues to love me even when I am less than perfect and less than willing to obey.

But do I love Him when He doesn’t do what I want or expect Him to do?

Ouch!

You see, He will bring us to that place of decision.

Not once, but many times.

Do you love me?

Even when the job you wanted doesn’t come through?

Do you love me?

Although your friend or loved one died unexpectedly?

Do you love me...