How to know if you are in love with Jesus

 

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.”
— Matthew 22:37–38

I always hear people say that they love Jesus, but then I watch their lives contradict their statements. So what is love?

I saw a great definition of love online the other day, and I reworded it this way:

“Love reveals itself by what we pursue, where we focus our attention, what we give our desire and affection to, what shapes our priorities, and what directs our actions. Our lives naturally move toward what our hearts treasure.”

Jesus said:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
— Matthew 6:21

So how do you know that you are truly in love with Jesus?

1. You want to be in the presence of Jesus.

You can't wait to be alone with Him, sit with Him, hear His voice, talk with Him, and simply enjoy His presence. When you love someone, being with that person isn't a chore. You desire their presence.

Psalm 63:1–2 — “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You... So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.”

Psalm 42:1–2 — “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”

Psalm 84:1–2 — “How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”

Psalm 27:4 — “One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD...”

Psalm 16:11 — “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

2. You think about Him all the time.

When you are in love with someone, your thoughts are always on that person. You wake up thinking about him or her. You go to sleep thinking about him or her. You can't wait to be with that person, and you plan your time around that encounter.

It is the same way with Jesus. Your mind continually returns to Him.

Isaiah 26:3 — “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

Psalm 63:6 — “When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.”

Psalm 1:2 — “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.”

Colossians 3:1–2 — “Seek those things which are above, where Christ is... Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

3. He is your first priority.

Nothing rivals your love for Jesus. He is your first priority and greatest pursuit. You don't allow idols to take His place in your heart. He doesn't take a backseat to another relationship, career, hobby, money, possessions, or even your own personal desires.

Jesus isn't simply part of your life. He is Lord of your life.

Matthew 10:37 — “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”

Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness...”

Exodus 20:3 — “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

Psalm 73:25 — “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.”

1 John 2:15 — “Do not love the world or the things in the world.”

4. Your goal is to please God regardless of what other people think.

When you love Jesus, His opinion becomes more important than people's approval. Your goal becomes pleasing the One you love, even when following Him isn't popular.

2 Corinthians 5:9 — “Therefore we make it our aim...to be well pleasing to Him.”

Colossians 1:10 — “That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him...”

Galatians 1:10 — “For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 2:4 — “Not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.”

5. Love equals sacrifice, so you are willing to give up anything to follow Him.

Real love costs something. When you love Jesus, your time, energy, resources, plans, and desires become His. There isn't anything you should be unwilling to surrender if He asks for it.

Jesus isn't someone we simply add to the life we've already chosen. Following Him means laying our lives down before Him.

Luke 9:23 — “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Luke 14:33 — “Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

Philippians 3:7–8 — “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ... I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Romans 12:1 — “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

6. You honor God with your life and aim to glorify Him.

When you're in love with Jesus, you don't just honor Him at church. You want your entire life to bring Him glory—your words, behavior, relationships, work, money, decisions, and even what you do when nobody else is watching.

1 Corinthians 10:31 — “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Colossians 3:17 — “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus...”

Matthew 5:16 — “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

7. You surrender your will to God and live in a posture of humble submission.

When you love Jesus, you trust Him enough to surrender your will to His.

It stops being, “Jesus, bless what I want,” and becomes, “Jesus, what do You want?”

Sometimes loving Him means saying no to ourselves so that we can say yes to Him.

Jesus Himself demonstrated this posture toward the Father:

Luke 22:42 — “Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

Proverbs 3:5–6 — “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

James 4:7 — “Therefore submit to God.”

Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

8. You love what He loves and hate what He hates.

When we love Jesus, His heart begins changing our hearts. The things that grieve Him begin grieving us. The things He loves become precious to us.

That also means that if we love Jesus, His love begins changing how we love people.

Psalm 97:10 — “You who love the LORD, hate evil!”

Romans 12:9 — “Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”

John 15:12 — “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

1 John 4:20 — “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar...”

We cannot separate loving Jesus from loving people.

9. You obey His commands and His voice.

This is one of the clearest tests Jesus Himself gave us concerning whether we love Him.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
— John 14:15

Jesus didn't say, “If you love Me, tell everyone you love Me.” He connected love directly to obedience.

John 14:21 — “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.”

John 14:23–24 — “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word... He who does not love Me does not keep My words.”

1 John 5:3 — “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.”

Obedience doesn't earn His love or salvation. Rather, obedience is one of the fruits that grows from a heart that loves Him.

10. You worship God and freely give Him your love.

When you love Jesus, worship isn't merely something you do during a church service. Worship becomes the response of your heart to the One you love.

You want to praise Him, adore Him, thank Him, honor Him, and pour your affection upon Him.

1 Chronicles 16:29 — “Give to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!”

Psalm 95:6 — “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”

John 4:23–24 — “The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”

Mary gives us one of the most beautiful pictures of extravagant love and worship:

John 12:3 — Mary took very costly fragrant oil, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. The fragrance filled the entire house.

Her love wasn't merely spoken. Her love was demonstrated by what she was willing to pour out at His feet.

So perhaps the real question isn't simply:

“Do I say that I love Jesus?”

The deeper question is:

“If someone watched my life without hearing my words, would they be able to tell that I am in love with Him?”

What receives my time?
What occupies my thoughts?
What captures my affection?
What am I pursuing?
What am I unwilling to surrender?
Whose approval am I seeking?
Who am I obeying?

Because ultimately, our lives naturally move toward what our hearts treasure.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
— Matthew 6:21

We Must Decrease That He May Increase

Thus says the Lord:
 Jeremiah 6:16
Love is so attractive and in essence that is who He is. If we are to have revival we must become love. We must decrease so He can increase. So my friends there lies the root of the problem. We have increased ourselves so much in the sight of others that they don't see Him anymore! The only solution is to take up the cross and deny ourselves. We must put away selfish ambition and empty conceit; esteeming others higher than ourselves. Philippians 2:3-4 We must humbly concede all of our plans to God so that He can take over our services and ministries. Then we must become like that humble man (William Seymour) at Azusa Street who buried his face between wooden crates and prayed for God's presence to visit His people.
Love is so attractive and in essence that is who He is. If we are to have revival we must become love. We must decrease so He can increase. So my friends there lies the root of the problem. We have increased ourselves so much in the sight of others that they don't see Him anymore! The only solution is to take up the cross and deny ourselves. We must put away selfish ambition and empty conceit; esteeming others higher than ourselves. Philippians 2:3-4 We must humbly concede all of our plans to God so that He can take over our services and ministries. Then we must become like that humble man (William Seymour) at Azusa Street who buried his face between wooden crates and prayed for God's presence to visit His people.

“Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls.

What people are really looking for is the presence of God. Not another song, another motivational speech, conference or guest speaker. They just want Jesus but we get in His way because we want to be seen. This world just wants to see Jesus but they see human flesh and are turned off by it.

Our mantra should be the cry of the Welsh Revival "bend us." Their plan of action:

1. Confess all known sin

2. Deal with and get rid of anything ‘doubtful’ in your life

3. Be ready to obey the Holy Spirit instantly

4. Confess Christ publicly

If we as a church were to truly just put into practice the 1st principle and humbly confess our sin; that alone would cause a great move of God! Before we can ever experience the times of refreshing we must come with penitent hearts. However, if we go around and act as if we are in need of nothing, we will not experience the very thing we need the most. The current mantra is: we have no sin, we need no conviction and we need no law! We are fine the way we are. The lukewarm church in Revelation also held the same view they did "not know that they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked." Yet the counsel of God remains the same, "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see." (Revelations 3:18) It is only through the baptism of fire that may obtain the precious gold crown that Jesus wants to bestow on us.

My friends we can not wear a crown if we won't carry the cross. We have become ashamed of the gospel and rarely preach being crucified with Christ. We have replaced these biblical principles with modern doctrines that have steered us away from taking personal responsibility for the awful shape we are in. Yet, the bible warned us long ago... For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. ⁴ But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
(1 Thess. 5:3-4) 

Could it be that the pregnant church has not given birth to revival because of the lack of repentance? Jesus warned us “Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many." Matthew 24:4-5 It is those who come in His name that we need to be worried about in these Last Days. Jesus tells us how we will know they are false prophets, "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. ¹² And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." Matthew 24: 11-12 These are the mark of false prophets. They are lawless and Jesus will say to them in that day, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" These ministers thought they could work mighty signs and wonders yet be living outside of God's laws and principles. There will be no such thing! Our sin will never enter into the Holy of Holies; nor will we, be able to flaunt our works before a holy God.  

My friends, is there anything doubtful in our lives? Any sin? Let us confess to God what is causing us to stumble. Forgiving others who have hurt us. Laying down our pride. Picking up our cross and denying ourselves. Esteeming others higher than ourselves. Loving others unconditionally. It is what Jesus did. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:5-8 

Oh Father, make us humble bondservants. Give us the mind of Christ. Give us that love. Help us decrease. Increase in our lives. Father let us never be ashamed of preaching the cross that you so humbly died on. Bring revival to our nation and to our lives in Jesus name.

Excerpts from my book Be Attitudes of Revival

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Walk In The Power of God!

Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean. ⁵ For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”
Judges 13:4-5

We have all been taught the story of Samson in Sunday School. As children it was quite impressive to hear of a man with so much strength and power. We also were taught that Delilah through constant pressure and persistence finally caused Samson to tell her the source of his strength. His lack of discernment becomes his downfall and he ends up losing his vision being imprisoned by the enemy. Since this story is told to children we leave out all the gory details and just tell the kids about how Samson finally got victory over his enemies when he pushed over the pillars at their gathering killing them all.  

However, there is a great lesson in the story of Samson that has been overlooked that is key to walking in great power....CONSECRATION! Consecration means to be set apart for God's purposes. Samson was set apart by birth. The other day I was reading a post online and someone made an interesting statement about the powerlessness of the church. I thought about it and it came to me...the reason for the powerlessness in the church is that they been like Samson. They given over to the seduction of Delilah and have not kept their consecration to the Lord. The truth is the church has lost its vision and direction because it has been taken captive by the enemy. All over the world believers have given in to compromise and now have no power to escape their captivity. Yet, the key lies within their very reach. 

In Mark 9 there is a story of a boy who was demonized. The disciples tried to cast the devil out but they could not. Later on, "when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”²⁹ So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." Mark 9:28-29 I used think that this meant that demons somehow knew that we were fasting and praying giving us power over them. The fact is demons don't care if you don't eat or pray. What they do care about is when a Christian consecrates themselves through prayer and fasting. See a lot of people use fasting as a means to diet and prayer to tell God about all their problems. However, to be truly effective you need to set time aside to seek God alone, denying yourself in abstinence and staying in a place of intimacy with God.

Until recently when I started going to prayer mountain to fast and pray during our event called "Come Away My Beloved" I had no idea how disconnected from the presence of God I was. You have no idea how the constant demands of our time, attention, and distraction take their toll on our relationship with God until you get away from it all. I didn't quite get the importance of this even though I read that Jesus made a habit to get alone and pray. Even in that wilderness experience he was putting death and overcoming the devil. It was after that Jesus returned in power. (Luke 4:14)

Which leads me to the second key: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5  This word abide means to stay within, remain and dwell in God's presence. My friends don't expect to walk in great power if you never pick up your bible, pray or spend time in worship. Now a lot of people spend time in devotionals reading other people's material, give God their 5 minute prayers and sing songs to the Lord in their car. Praise God but that is not going to cut it. "Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone." John 6:15  Jesus spent time alone in prayer. He did not go to prayer meetings so everyone can see how spiritual He was. He did take his disciples with him but would still pray alone. I do believe in corporate prayer but not as a substitute for praying alone. "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" Matthew 6:6

Spending time alone with God is key to walking in great power! I know it is not easy because we are constantly in place of being able to be contacted by others and distracted. If someone messages us on Facebook it goes to our phone. Our e-mails go to our phones. There is texting, instant messaging, cell phones, IPOD's and all kinds of gadgets that interrupt our time. If you go anywhere there is music in the background and TV's. You almost have to leave the city and find a mountain like Jesus to be alone. I heard this from a Pastor and I believe it to be true, "Get anyone in a place of solitude and silence and they will hear from God!" I am going to add to that. Get anyone alone in a place of solitude, silence, prayer and worship; living their life in consecration...YOU WILL SEE GREAT POWER!

If you find this article helpful or would like to leave a comment or visit our website:
Jaziz Gutierrez
http://www.loverevivalrevolution.com

Facebook: School Of Impartation and Living

Engage God!

Engage: To attract and hold by influence or power

Not so long ago I was at a church service and the guest speaker was encouraging people to come to the altar to pray over their loved ones.  Strangely, many people continued to sit motionless on the chairs.  It was almost like they didn't hear what they were being asked to do. Again the invitation was given but only a few people came up.  The rest remained in their seats the rest of the night. It was literally like pulling teeth to get anyone to leave their comfort zone. As I was at the altar the Lord started to speak to me about this problem. 

First, we here in America have gotten used to coming to church and have everything happen behind the pulpit. Like the children of Israel we have sent Moses up the mountain to encounter God while we stay behind and build the golden calf. Our expectancy level only goes as far as believing God for a good sermon for the day. On the other hand, the only thing that is expected from the congregation in most cases is their tithe money and that is all. Honestly, I have seen more enthusiasm at a football game than I have seen in many churches.  At least at a football game people cheer and get into the game.  In some churches we can't even get people to stand up and praise God.  We have a lot to thank God about. He choose us to live life abundantly and be filled with His amazing unconditional love.  Unfortunately, many people don't receive this abundant life because they never engage God.  They never go beyond listening to the Pastor speak to hearing the Holy Ghost reveal himself through scripture, getting filled with His Presence, being touched in their bodies or being set free from their bondage.  They walk into church depressed, hurting, sick, addicted, unsaved and leave the same way they came in. This is religion.

I believe that God is about to change all of that. There is nothing more powerful than a group of believers coming into unity, with expectancy, ready to engage God so they can receive what they are believing for. If those believers love each other deeply than expect God to show himself mighty in them. As God starts to move on His people and they start to respond to the love of God be sure that every person that comes within that atmosphere will be changed forever.  As God's people ascend the mountain with Moses unafraid and unabated asking for God to show them His glory...will He not do it? My God this is how Pentecost was poured out.  A group of believers who prayed in unity, loved each other, were willing to lay their life down for the gospel and waited for the promise of the Holy Spirit. It was these empowered witnesses that received the Pentecostal fire. My friends, we already have this Holy Ghost fire and all we have to do is rekindle it at the altar of our hearts.

To rekindle this fire, we just need to engage God in our loving adoration.  He seeks those who worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.  All of heaven will stop to listen to just one thankful heart. It was always those who declared the Divinity of Christ who caused Jesus to pay attention. Jesus, son of David have mercy on Me was the cry of every desperate soul.  They would then throw themselves at the feet of Jesus and worship Him. My friends, if we are ever to get passed our mundane traditions then we must be willing to let go of our religious pride. We must be willing to leave that chair, go to the altar, weep, worship, pray or anything else that the Spirit of God moves upon us to do. If you are willing to do this...you will leave changed. Engage God!