Article Categories
» Arts & Entertainment
» Automotive
» Business
» Careers & Jobs
» Education & Reference
» Finance
» Food & Drink
» Health & Fitness
» Home & Family
» Internet & Online Businesses
» Miscellaneous
» Self Improvement
» Shopping
» Society & News
» Sports & Recreation
» Technology
» Travel & Leisure
» Writing & Speaking

  Listed Article

  Category: Articles » Self Improvement » Inspirational » Article
 

If You Love Me....




By Felton LThompkins

© Copyright 2006 by Felton L.Thompkins



How many times have you heard this verse of Scripture
quoted to you: "If you love me, keep my commandments."
John 14:15, and instead of it being an inspiration, it not
only made you cringe, but it also made you feel like you were
condemned of God, and condemned by the person that
so graciously quoted it to you?

Well, fret not! We have all been there, and we will probably
end up there again at some point, if we are not exposed to
the truth.


What I would like to address in this article is our ability,
or lack of ability, to experience the "true" love of God.
This has been a stumbling block for men since the
beginning of the ages. I believe it even started with
Adam in the Garden. Furthermore, let me express to
you that I don't consider myself to have arrived, nor do
I count myself to have a monopoly on the subject of the
"love of God". My sincere desire is that we all can
grow in the grace and love of our Heavenly Father.



In February, 2006 I was watching, the Christian television
channel. It was the week of the Super Bowl, and they where
interviewing a few of the players who would be playing in
the game that night. Although I can't remember which
player said this or what team he was from, I do remember
that the guy said this was one of his favorite verses.
"If you love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15
Wow! For the first time ever, I heard it right. The Lord
communicated to me , that this verse was not saying , that
if I keep His commandments, then He will love me. For so many
years I had read and heard that verse from a "do-to-be" loved
perspective.

Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Can you
sense the passionate plea of our Lord as One talking to His
children, knowing that if we would "learn" to take heed of
His principles and disciplines from a position of love,
that then, and only then, can we experience the extraordinary
and abundant way of life and living!

"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments:
and His commandments are not grievous." (weighty, burdensome)
John 5:3 First and foremost, we must understand that it is
"only" the love and grace of God that allow us to keep
His commandments, meaning it's the unconditional love of
God, flowing from God to the believer. "Cause me to hear
thy loving kindness..." Psa.143:8 The Psalmist expresses
his desire to know the love of God, experientially and
passionately, not just intellectually, and theologically.
Unfortunately, the latter two are the only way most of us
have experienced and will ever experience anything of God.


We must learn how, and continue to know and receive the love
of God, not just from a theological or an intellectual position,
but rather from a position of knowing His passion for the
believer, and learning to share in that passion in a genuine
love relationship with our Lord and Saviour.

------------------------------------------------------------

It's funny how at the time of our accepting the Lord Jesus
as Saviour we experience, and accept, the unconditional love
of God. Yet, somewhere along the way we have this tendency
to forget that it is His gift to all who will believe.



Well, until you hear from me again, let us all remember
that it is "by grace that we are saved, through faith and
that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works,
lest any of us should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9
 
 
About the Author
Felton L. Thompkins is a native Atlantan, now making his home in Jacksonville,FL.
He is a lover of God and of people, his interest include golfing, music, Internet Marketing,
and Real Estate Investment. Felton L. Thompkins, The Newbies Advocate.
http://www.Simplyeshop.com
http://tinyurl.com/yab6aa

Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/42462.html
 
If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/42462.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked.



  Some other articles by Felton LThompkins
I Learned The Hard Way, Now You Don't Have To. (3) Steps To Profits...
What you are about to read are some simple truths that the so-called "seasoned" Internet Marketers, do not want you to know. At least ...

  
  Recent Articles
Love, Forgiveness And Gratitude
by Pat Campbell

Falling in Love, Again
by Neil Millar

How EINSTEIN Can Make You Rich!
by Tim Richardson

'Are You Following The Deep Wisdom?
by Neil Millar

How Can Hypnosis Help You To Develop Self-Belief Just With 3 Secrets?
by pradeep aggarwal

Scare Me, I Love It! Or The Misadventures Of The One In The Land Of Many-Colored-Coatings
by Gerald O'Donnell

The Part The Guru Left Out
by Neil Millar

The Goal of Life
by Neil Millar

Be Your Own Architect
by Adebola A. Oni

The Power Of Vision
by Adebola Oni

Do Not Short-change Yourself This Year
by Adebola Oni

Don't Let Them Weigh You Down!
by Adebola Oni

9 Steps To Achieving Success in the New Year.
by Adebola Oni

Human Hibernation saved One's Life
by Honman

Do not do all the important things in your life at one go.
by Honman

3 Vital Factors in Creating What You Want
by Neil Millar

How do You find Life Purpose?
by Neil Millar

Can't connect to database