Many must have heard this question and immediately answer “yes”. But do we demonstrate our love for Christ in everything we do?
In John 14, starting from verse 15, it says: “If you love me, keep my commandments. 16: He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I also will love him and will manifest myself to him.”
In the bible there are several commandments which Jesus commands us to obey. And for obedience to exist, it is necessary to give up the things of this world, so that we can deliver ourselves body and soul, seeking to achieve the will of our Lord Jesus.
Commandment is an order and he who loves God and His word, obeys it! There are still people who say that renouncing and obeying is very difficult, but I can say that it is not difficult. We all have flesh (matter) and spirit. They live in constant battle and the one you feed the most wins.
Feeding the flesh is doing the will of the world and feeding the spirit is summed up in doing the will of God, obeying His word. When the spirit wins, renunciation becomes easier, and our spiritual side only wins if we follow the requirements of God's word.
The beginning of everything is obedience
Besides renouncing and denying yourself, you need to take up your cross, which would be the commitment, the vow you make to keep the commandments until the coming of Christ, when you receive baptism in the name of Jesus.
Today we see the gospel spreading without renunciation and many insist on saying that God does not want the body, but only the heart. However, know that our material body also needs to be kept, preserved, because in 1 Corinthians 2:16 it is written: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the spirit of God dwells in you?”. Besides giving testimony to others with our attitudes, giving the transparency that the spirit of the Lord is in us, we need to testify with our behavior, including the way we dress.
In Matthew 5:14, it says: “You are the light of the world”. Light draws attention and shines where there is darkness. Then in verse 16, it says: “So let your light shine also before men, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Do not be ashamed of God. If you want to demonstrate your love for Him, let the light of Jesus shine through you and make yourself a precious instrument for Christ.
Do not worry about what the world will think of you
Do not worry about what the world will think of you, because the most important thing is what God thinks and wants from you. It is written in Matthew 16:26 thus: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”.
Therefore, ask God for strength so that you learn to please only Him, for everything will work in your favor. He only needs you to repay all the love He has given you and nothing more.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ rest upon each one of you!