I worked for a pastor several years ago who loved to assign me to visit people he didn’t necessarily want to visit. I always knew I was in for a treat when either he or the secretary contacted me to visit a particular person. I went to the local hospital to visit this lady, so I told her who I was. She was quick to say, “I’m a member at your church. I haven’t been in 20 years, but I love me some Jesus.” I couldn’t make a judgment call on her love for Jesus, but I asked myself if I love Jesus like I should and what Scripture I can use as a measurement. I shared this in our worship service this morning, and I pray it will help you ask by asking yourself these eight questions.
- Do I serve God (Deuteronomy 11:13)? Love is an action, so I display my love through serving God. We must be careful that we always serve out of love rather than obligation. This eventually leads to burnout, and then we have to repent and repair.
- Do I rejoice in God (Psalm 5:11)? I didn’t ask if you and I rejoice in our circumstances. They waver, but God is constant. If we love God, we rejoice in Him and brag on Him.
- Do I love His presence (Psalm 26:8)? If we love God, we love to spend time with Him.
- Do I hate evil (Psalm 97:10)? Hating evil does not involve hating the person who commits it. Our responsibility there is to love the evil person to Jesus while hating what the evil is doing to him or her.
- Do I love God’s Word (Psalm 119:97)? I’m not just talking about reading it to say you fulfilled your duty. This verse talks about meditating on it. It will not impact us unless we get all we can from it.
- Do I love others (John 13:35)? Jesus said our love for others proves that we follow Him. He didn’t say that impressive buildings, rocking worship services, and big giving to religious causes was the litmus test. The real proof is loving ALL people, even the most difficult ones.
- Do I keep God’s commandments (John 14:15)? Jesus made it clear by saying, “If you love Me, keep my commandments”. We won’t keep them perfectly, but a true child of God will want to honor and obey God.
- Do I invest in others (John 21:15)? Jesus asked Simon Peter three times if he loved Him. This was after Peter denied Christ leading up to the crucifixion. Jesus’ response to Peter’s affirmative answer was, “Feed My lambs.” In other words, invest in other people. God did not put you here for you. Your story can help someone else if you let it. The bigger picture of our life is us pouring into others who can do the same. That is when we find our greatest fulfillment.
Love is not measured by the warm and fuzzy feelings we get when we think about God. Love is measured by how we strive to know and obey Him. So, how do you score in these areas? I think we can all improve as we strive to draw closer to Jesus.
Matthew Winters (Honest Thoughts from a Pastor) 
Reminds me of going through the first class of our hospital care training! You have provided some good questions to consider! Knowing God’s Holy Spirit was with me was so comforting! As I continued my walk of faith I could see the immense blessing I received doing these visits for God….. Just by serving!
I remember going in knowing nothing about this lady. It didn’t take long for me to ask if she knew Christ as her Savior. I think the pastor looked at it as getting out of visiting someone, but God has gifted me to deal with all kinds of personalities. I’m not saying it is easy, but He gives grace that I could not have on my own.
I really do love God. In answering these questions, I am on my way. However, as I grow closer I realize that each level that we go in God requires more of sitting at His feet. To whom much is given, much is required. I will not have reached my goal until I am with the Lord. I appreciate this post because it makes us look at where we are if we have the courage to look and see inside our hearts and turn them over to Him.
Great post. God is just so awesome. Your points are essential and ones we unconsciously wander from so easily.
Praise the Lord! I never imagined I would preach and share this personal study, but God is using it to help people. I give Him all the glory for how He speaks to us.
Amen.
Wow! The Holy Spirit is really using you now. Keep up the good typing.
Amen
Great post, Matt.
We are all prodigal sons. And fortunately so. For though we are sinners, this parable reminds us that if we earnestly strive to deny ourselves and walk in His way, He will not wait for us. But rather will rush out to greet us as the father did who thought his son lost, as he saw him on the road approaching home.
-Alan
Praise God for this truth!
Amen!
-Alan
This is an excellent and concise self inventory on whether we are truly living for Christ and bearing fruit! Thanks for posting!
Great checkpoint list when evaluation is needed in our walk. I love the fact that you post material that we need to check ourselves. Working on ourselves (in the capacity that we can do even that) allows us focus on the necessary things and pray for others. Thank you for sharing.