“If You Love Me…”

The greatest act of love known to man is recorded in God’s Word in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” THAT truly is love!

Love sometimes is taken for granted, however. There are those who would point to John 3:16 and say, “Well, it says that whoever believes in Him can have eternal life.” And that is what it says - if we believe in Him. Not just about Him or of Him. The question is, “What is involved
in believing in Jesus?” Let’s take it in three steps:

First, we must believe that Jesus is who He claims to be - the Son of God - the Christ. (Matthew 27:43; John 10:36) However, we find the demons acknowledging Him as the Son of God in Matthew 8:29. Even Satan and his followers know and believe who Jesus is.

Secondly, we must believe that Jesus is able to do what He says He can do. When a man asked Jesus to cast the demon out of his son, Jesus asked the man if he believed He was able to do it. (Mark 9:24)

Thirdly, we must believe in Jesus’ method of doing things. That is, we must believe in Him to the extent we are willing to do what He says to do and how He says to do it. For example, the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-22 evidently believed in Jesus because he asked Jesus what to do to receive eternal life. However, when Jesus told the young man what to do, he balked. He didn’t want to do it the way Jesus told him.

Today it is the same. We must believe Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24) and that He is able to save us from sin (Matthew 1:21; 1 Timothy 1:15.) but we must also follow through with this belief and do what He commands us to do. If we go to the doctor we should be willing to take the medicine he prescribes, shouldn’t we? When we believe in Jesus, there are things He tells us to do. We must repent of wrongdoing or sin in our life (Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3; 24:47); we must confess Him before men as the Son of God (Matthew 10:32, 33); we must be baptized (immersed) for the remission of our sins (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38); and we must faithfully abide in Him (Luke 15:62; John 15:1-6.) If we leave anything out, we are not keeping all of His commandments. And, after all, Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) Do you believe in Him? Do you love Him enough to obey Him? Please do not do as the rich young ruler did and balk on that which is still lacking. This man went away sorrowing because he didn’t understand why Jesus wanted him to do certain things. Rejoice that He has told us what to do - and do it.

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony