Do not love the world or anything that belongs in it. If you love the world, you don’t have the love of the Father in you! 1 John 2:15 (GN)
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:36-39 (NIV)
God wants first place in your life. We’re told in 1 John 2 “don’t love the world.” Jesus is talking about the value system of the world. Don’t love things, love people.
As believers, we will experience our highest level of living when we love God with our whole heart.
The hardest part is that people want a relationship with God, but people don’t want God all the time, every day. Sundays are easy to be faithful to God…we start the day at church with Christians. It sets our heart and mind right for the day. But the other six days can be another story.
Truthfully, partially faithful is not being faithful at all.
God wants your whole heart. God loves you completely, every day, all the time. God wants the same from you.
You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. James 4:4 (MSG)
Pastor Jeff likened this to “spiritual adultery” on God. Believers can be cheating on God with the world. Spiritual adultery makes you an enemy of God. Don’t let that happen. Chase after God. God’s blessing on your life is the best life you can have.
Pray: Dear God – This devotion goes right to our weakness. It challenges us to reckon with the reality that we want You when we want You. But You want us all the time…our whole heart. God, we need Your help. We need You. Help us to commit to be faithful to You every day, all the time. We can only do this with Your Holy Spirit. Help us Lord. Help us love You the way You require. And thank You Lord – for our best life is with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.