Don't just believe Jesus, Love Him!
I know this, because of my engagements in social media and out on the streets. People are filled with head knowledge about Jesus, but not experiencing the spiritual, loving, personal relationship with Jesus.
So let’s dig into doing more than just believing in Jesus, but Loving Him!
Did you know that Jesus will manifest Himself to those that love Him?
"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
Did you know that Jesus said He would make His abode with those that love Him?
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him". John 14:23
(Notice Jesus said “love” and not “believe” - more on that later.)
The Scriptures point to Jesus - The Author and finisher of our faith
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
When I think of John 5:39, I think of how the menu points to the meal. The biblical text points to the Author. God, which is a spirit, breathed the word through holy men of God. They were inspired to write the text. Inspirited means “in spirit”.
This passage has particular relevance to me and I refer to this in my book “Open Your Eyes, My Supernatural Journey”. One day after an Outreach with Bread of Life Church I was in the back of the sanctuary and I sensed the presence of God. The presence of God was emanating from the altar. I was determined to get into the fullness of His presence even though I was afraid.
I pressed forward against my fear at a snail’s pace. I finally got to the front row. Then something invisible to me pushed me down in the front seat. At that time in the spirit I heard really loudly.
“Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which testify of ME”.
When He said “ME” it was very loud and pronounced. It was at that moment that I realized I needed to put my trust in Jesus the person. I need to love Jesus the person. The scriptures point to Jesus the Person.
I knew this previously, but not on the scale it was being presented. It became a quickened word within my spirit that forever changed my life.
Know About Jesus versus the Personal Relationship with Jesus
You can read about John F. Kennedy all you want. You can talk to his family members. You can even tour his memorial. But you don’t know him until you have had dinner with the man!
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.(Revelation 3:20)
This is what Christian believers need to know. We can read about Jesus all we want. We can have bible studies and make several trips to Israel. But none of that compares to having a personal, loving relationship with Him.
What happens to those with good works that only believe in Jesus?
What happens if people have good theology according to man, good morals, believe Jesus is Lord, and good doctrine, that have no loving relationship with Jesus?
"21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matt 7:21-23
Notice the people here, call Jesus Lord. They think they are doing His will. They are even prophesying and doing mighty works, but Jesus doesn’t have a personal relationship with them.
Let’s look at it from another angle. Let's say you are on death row, and your only hope is a presidential pardon. You know the name of the president. You know his policies and laws. You know what he says and does. Well, so does everybody else. You're much more likely to get a presidential pardon if the president knows you personally.
It is more than belief - it is Love!
Have you ever noticed that when people evangelize, they ask if people want to go to heaven when they die? They totally leave Jesus out of the equation?
This lowers the relationship to a Jesus that is far off, and not one that abides in us, or manifests Himself to us. Jesus used the words ‘love’ and not ‘believe’ in the above passages about manifesting and making His abode.
When we believe Jesus, we should believe what he said. And He said to love him with all our heart, mind, and strength.
Having a personal relationship with Jesus is not knowing about a God that is far off. Loving Jesus is having a relationship where you never break fellowship (John 15). He abides in us, so He is constantly with us.
What happens if I Only believe in Jesus but I am not loving Jesus?
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6
I actually get asked a lot about the relationship aspect of our Christian faith. If you feel like God is far off. If you feel like your prayers are hitting a ceiling of brass. Then seek Him diligently.
Seek him earnestly in bible reading and be attentive to the spirit of God.
This may require some prayer and fasting.
If you seek God for five minutes and then turn on the television, you are missing the point. I came to the end of my rope. It was when I was at the end of my rope that I became SERIOUS about seeking God. Then God met me on my living room floor.
Here is how I developed my Spiritual Relationship with the Biblical Jesus
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