4.
God is love. Love is His very being. His nature. His character. His personality. As with all good things, love emanates from Him. He is its source, its flow and its all in all. Aside from Him, love has no depths. The individual may say that they possess the love of the Lord but that love must be demonstrated, not in word but in deed. To be without His love is to be without Him. 1 John 4:8 Love is made to be synonymous with the Lord and the Lord with love. They are inseparable. He can only abide where there is His type of love. Those who claim the Lord Jesus as their Savior and Lord, of necessity must prepare an atmosphere of love in their hearts that He might come and dwell there.
Do we come to a position in our Christian life where we take things for granted, and then are puzzled when our prayer does not receive an immediate and positive response. Consider the motivating force that is behind faith. Faith, in and of itself is insufficient. That which empowers it is love. Gal. 5:6b Faith WORKS by love. Love is made the energizing factor of that which is the result of faith. Where there is love, there is confidence and absolute trust. A deep rooted assurance that we may ask what we will and it shall be done. The greatest of love is found in the Lord Jesus. For it is said of Him, that greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends. John 15:13 This would place the burden of true and intense love on the part of the one making the petition to the Lord. The person who is exercising faith, will see results, according to their love for Him.
Let us consider another evidence of those who demonstrate true love for the Lord. Most definitely, obedience is vital. The very thought of obedience to most anything today is almost an obscene word. Nevertheless, it remains a sign of the measure of love which one has for the Lord. He would most certainly use our willingness to follow the teaching of His Word as an indication of how deep our love for Him might be. The person who is in love with Him will most definitely do their best to please Him. The sign for which He is looking is in the keeping of His commandments. John 14:15 His commandments are not grievous, especially if we have been born of and are filled with His Spirit. 1 John 5:3 Once again we find that we are evaluated on the basis of our attitude and love toward others. Especially, those who are of the household of faith. 1 John 5:2 His love, as it is demonstrated in His people, is very practical and has its beginnings in our acceptance or rejection of others.