The Father’s mission for the Son had love at its core. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…”

Do You Love Me?

The life of Jesus paints a portrait of true love. And true love is obedient love (Jn. 14:15; 1 Jn. 5:3).

The Father’s mission for the Son had love at its core. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” (Jn. 3:16a ESV). But Jesus was a man like us, who had to make decisions like us. He had a command from the Father, which He had to obey. And obedience was His choice, because He chose to love. He chose to love the Father; and He knew the command from the Father was about love – love for us. Without love, Jesus would not have chosen obedience. “[W]ho for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross...” (Heb. 12:2a). His and the Father’s love were aligned toward us. The world needed a Savior.

A defiant heart is not a heart of love. Jonah refused to go warn Nineveh to repent, because he did not love them. Likewise, we are charged to take the word of God and confront sin. Why are so many Christians defiant of this charge? Could it be that the Father’s love and my love are not aligned? Are souls not on the line? Does the world not need a Savior?

If I fell out of a boat and could not swim (but you could swim), what would stop you from jumping in to save me? Maybe you don’t want to get your clothes wet? Maybe you think I’ll pull you under with me? Maybe you assume that I can swim and don’t need to be saved? Maybe you don’t think my life is valuable enough to save? Maybe you are too afraid to jump in?

What will cause you to take action? LOVE will! “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…” (1 Jn. 4:18a). If you love my life and want me to be saved, you will find the courage needed to jump in. Love will cause you to correct me from error, saving my soul from death (Jms. 5:20). Love will cause you to “save others by snatching them out of the fire” (Jude 23). Loving me will result in your obedience to God.

It’s one thing to tell someone you love them. It’s quite a different thing to prove it.

-Cary Gillis D.Min.

May 8, 2022

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