The privileges of loving Jesus more.

The privileges of loving Jesus more.

John  20:11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,  20:12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.  20:13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.  20:14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.  20:15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.  20:16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.  20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.  20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Mary Magdalene loved Jesus our Lord, dearly and had the benefits of seeing Him first after His resurrection.

It was the Lord Himself that first loved us.

1 John  4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

He did so by going through the painful shameful gruesome excruciating death on the cross of Calvary.

John  15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Titus  3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,  3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;  3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

We are commanded to love God.

Deuteronomy  6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Matthew  22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

When you love God, there will be proofs that you do so.

John  21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.  21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  

John  14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.  14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

1 John  5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Psalms  97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Our Lord is displeased when your love for Him wanes.

Revelation  2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;  2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:  2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.  2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

To be able to love God wholeheartedly, you need circumcision of heart. The second work of grace after biblical salvation.

Deuteronomy  30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

You will be rewarded adequately if you love God.

1 Corinthians  2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Proverbs  8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.  8:18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.  8:19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.  8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:  8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

Beloved, do everything to reciprocate the love of Jesus for you, if you appreciate His vicarious sacrifice for you.

1 John  4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Let us pray.