Every time in the Bible Jesus gives us some type of directive as to how to live for Him, or how to live our lives He uses the word if. What is the word if? What does the word if signify, well in these verses it signifies the fact that it is what He wants and may or may not be what we want.
Here are two examples: First, we have John 14:15 "If you love Me, keep my commandments." No where in this verse does it say I demand that you keep My commandments, but if. If is a sign of wanting and longing for something. Jesus is longing for us to love Him, He is longing for us to keep His commandments, but that is all He is doing. If God did things the way a lot of non-believers believe, He would tell us that we love Him, that we are His, and there is no choice. Kind of like a pre-arranged marriage. How much love can there truly be in something that is arranged and not chose.
Second, we have Luke 9:23, " If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself...
Here again, an example of a loving Savior wanting and longing for our love. He is love, He is all that love encompasses and longs to pour that out on us. But, first we have to love Him and show it to Him in these two ways. By denying ourselves on a daily basis, and placing our relationship with Him at the top of our priorites. And, secondly, by keeping His commandments.
If, we will do these two things then He will continually pour down His love and compassion on us. It's easy to get confused and say that we have to earn His love but that couldn't be further from the truth. We just have to want it for ourselves. If we show by obedience and by priority that we love Him, then we will be able to fully feel and receive His love in return.
So prioritize, and deny yourself and His love will become more real to you every day!
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
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