Loving Christ

John 14:15

Last week we talked about what it means to 'Know' Christ. This morning, I want us to consider the challenges of 'Loving Christ'. Love is a word that has essentially lost its meaning in our culture today. We talk about how much we love things … but in doing so we obscure the real meaning of love. When my grandson, Riley, was in the 1st grade, he was faced with a real dilemma. The weekend was coming up, and he had to choose between staying in Indianapolis to attend a friends birthday party, or come to Bloomington and spend the weekend with his grandparents. He contemplated on this for a moment, and then declared, "I really want to go to the party, but I love Granny!" Needless to say, he chose to come to Granny's house for the weekend. A choice based solely upon love! At the outset it would be beneficial for us to be reminded of what love is all about. Love requires action. It is something that we do! "For God so loved the world that He gave…" Jesus loved us enough to go to the cross and die in our place! Love is more than a feeling. It is more than just an emotion. Love is an act of the will. It manifests itself in what we do. It isn't about empty words or broken promises. It is about commitment, and obedience. Certainly my wife needs to hear me tell her how much that I love her, but what she needs more is for me to demonstrate that love daily by what I do!

In much the same way, we are challenged to prove our love for Christ.

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21)

I. Be in Unity

II. Give from the Heart

III. Prayer and Bible Study

IV. Worship

All of these are challenges to us in the matter of loving Christ. How are we doing?