Loving Jesus

"If anyone does not love the Lord--a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!" 1 Corinthians 16:22 NIV

Jesus declared that the greatest commandment is to love God with every ounce of your being (Matthew 22:37). Paul was so passionate about loving Jesus that he declared a curse on anyone who does not also love Him. Paul was not just declaring his own passionate opinion but he was speaking God's truth. Those who love Jesus are blessed with full life and adventure in following Him. Those who do not love Jesus know neither this fullness of life nor the joy of doing His will.

The chief purpose of our life is to love Jesus. We are not called merely to a life of religious duty and worship but we are called to love the Lord who loves us. "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20 NIV). Here is the heart and soul of the Christian life: in love we give our self fully to the One who in love gave Himself fully for us. In daily receiving His love and giving our self to Him in love we live in Him and He in us and we know the meaning of abundant life.

Father, stoke the fire of love for Jesus in my heart today. Forgive me for complacency toward Your Son and My Savior and fill me with passionate devotion to Him with ever increasing intensity.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark