John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
In our last message, we spoke at length about our obedience towards God's commandments as proof of our love for Him. Truly, you can say you love God or someone, and you can't prove it. Bishop David Oyedepo says that only a fool will doubt proof. If you ask even an unbeliever about the love of God, they will tell you that they love God. Our love for God is not in talking; it is in doing. God weighs our love on a scale, and that will determine how much of his secret he is going to reveal to you. For he said to his disciples that friends don't hide things from each other; they reveal secrets to each other
John 15:15 (Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.)
Our God is not Father Christmas, as many have labelled Him. When you love, you are expected to give, not as it is convenient, but as proof of your love for your partner. Love without sacrifice is questionable. The reason obedience is the key determinant of our love for God is that some instructions may not be convenient, as men may want to do things that please them. Jesus Christ says that God has not left him alone because he does things that please Him; we can attest to that statement when he actually went through the humiliation of being hung on a tree that is meant for thieves and criminals, all in the name of pleasing God.
Here is Jesus Christ's last commandment to his disciples, and every genuine disciple of Jesus should obey the instruction as proof of our love for him; for he said that if we love him, we will obey his commandments.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
The commandment of soul winning is very crucial, and God does not take it lightly with those who flout these instructions. He sent His only begotten Son for this purpose. Jesus came to show us the way back to God, and he taught his disciples how to do the same. (John 10:16-18) He went further to say that the job is going to continue until his second coming. Every believer is meant to be a contributor to this soul-winning business; it is a commandment. If you fulfil every other commandment without this one, God is not going to be pleased with you. Soul winning is his main business; it is our kingdom business and a very lucrative one indeed. The interaction between Jesus and the young rich man will put everything into perspective for you. You may say, but, Nene, I have obeyed all the commandments; yes, you are right; so, is the rich young man. Please read (Matthew 19:16-30 and Mark 10:17-31)
The rich man also obeyed all the commandments except the commandment to follow Jesus and to win souls for the kingdom. Because it requires that he turn his back on his wealth and follow Jesus, he was not a stingy man; he gave to the poor, but he could just abandon his treasure of the world and follow Jesus. Little did he know that if he followed Jesus, he would get a hundredfold of what he let go, not just in heaven but here on earth. He lacks that knowledge. The interaction between Jesus and the rich man shocked Peter and made him ask Jesus the question below.
Mark 10:26 (And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. 28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life).
Friends, God so loved the world that he gave his only son to die for the world. Christ also loved the world so that he sacrificed himself for the world. He laid down his life for his friends (John 10:16-18). He said we should go into the world and demonstrate our love for him by preaching his love and sacrifice for the world. The question is, are you doing it? How many souls have you won for Christ this year or since you got born again? Sir/ma, please, prove your love for Jesus; you have obeyed all the other commandments; obey this one also. God bless you.
The truth is that you can't save others if you are not saved; establish your relationship with Jesus as his friend today by accepting him as your Lord and saviour, praying this salvation prayer below, and be blessed, in Jesus name.
Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins and accept You as my Lord and Saviour. I believe you died for me so that I could become a new man/woman. Forgive me all my sins, wash me with your blood, and give me a new heart. Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul. Now I believe I am born again. And I am a child of God. Amen!
NENE ISAH,
#womanyouarefree; Twitter: @woyouarefree; Email: neneisahoc@gmail.com
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