Putting Love To The Test
In all honesty, I do love you,
And my associations with you are joy.
I believe that our feelings are true,
And the best in us employ.
We respect each other, as we should,
I’d have it no other way.
With love and respect any difference could
Unite us in Truth someday.
I respect your sincere dedication,
Though your “background” is different to mine,
To please God is our aspiration,
And to say “not my will but Thine”.
Each must examine his heart and be honest,
Accept the Bible standard alone.
For the sake of “unity” and the price Jesus paid,
We can all make heaven our Home.
I do not question your devotion to God,
But He must be our “common” Lord.
What He says to the one, He says to the other,
So we can walk by faith in full accord.
Our mutual hope invites communication,
Eternity is at stake.
And obedience to God brings salvation,
Minus sect, or creed, for our sakes.
So, we’ll be putting love to the test,
Without mental reservation.
Our response shall determine which we love the best,
Can we afford damnation?
Today is the day of salvation,
And judgment is for every man.
God offers us all justification,
Let’s make it as sure as we can.
O.D. Wilson – deceased
The poem above was written many years ago by my Father-in-Law and fully embraces the concept of “true love”. Many go through life and fail to understand the meaning of true love. True love to most is some sort of feeling or emotion that is as intangible as a cloud. They not only know not how to define it, but also are not aware of the source of love and the real benefit to be gained by participating in it.
As one goes to the Word of God, the true source of love is revealed and one can also find the instruction of God concerning love. First, let us see the source of love. In 1John 4:16 we are told that God is love and that we have the opportunity to participate in that love. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Then we can also see in 1John 4:8 that if we don’t have love, we don’t know God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
If we just back up a few verses, in 1John 4:10 we can also see that love manifested (made known) to mankind. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. This same sentiment is put forth in the “Golden Text” of the Bible, John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Previously, in John 15:13, Jesus revealed how God’s plan for man was to come about, and how He, because of His great love for His Father and for us, brought about that fulfillment. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
While this shows God’s and Christ’s love for us, how are we to show how we love God? That answer also comes from God’s Word. In 2John 1:6 we read that we have responsibility toward God if we want to receive benefit from what He offers. If we don’t do as instructed, we not only do not love God, but also shouldn’t expect Him to save us. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
Do you love God? Then why have you not yet submitted to His Will as directed in His Word? To try to receive salvation in any other way is futile as Jesus said in John 10:1. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. Could any claim that one who is a thief and a robber is motivated by love for God? Obey God’s Word today and show your love for Him by remaining faithful until your life on earth is over. Then you will spend eternity with Him.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
