It has become so evidently clear to me recently, that my life would be completely transformed if only I could truly love and treasure God as I should. Oh, I don’t mean all the trials of this world would disappear. If anything, the trials and the tribulations most likely would increase.
However, I would be transformed to have the heart of Jesus I so long to have. No longer would I have to battle against the blemishes of my own heart which fails me too often. My words would be tempered by His love overflowing through me. And my actions would be pure, if only I could truly love and treasure God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. But how does that happen? How can I truly love and treasure God, desiring Him above all else? Perhaps it is only when I come to the very end of me, that I truly find Him.
But this I know! It all begins with His perfect love toward me. That love wipes away all my fear of being judged; because, Christ paid the price for my regenerate heart with His blood, shed upon the cross as atonement for me.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. (I John 4:18-19 NKJV)
It must begin there. If I allow my heart to be entrapped with guilt over my failures, I am doubting Him. That is, I question His Integrity, when I fear He cannot forgive me for what He has already forgiven. Any doubt of His Absolute Goodness toward me, prevents my being perfected in His love. And doubt leads to sin.
Renewing the Mind
Oh, do not get me wrong, I am not saying I should brush aside my sin either. Instead I must see it clearly, quit making excuses for it, and run head on into His arms, weeping for I have failed Him, the one I love. If I see my sin as it truly is: one more strike of the whip cutting His body, then I must truly repent with tears. As I see my sin and my heart with all its depravity, I am even more amazed by His Grace for me. Overwhelmed by His love toward me, my hardened heart melts. My love for Him grows exponentially. My own desires to know Him, to be with Him, and to cherish Him passionately grows.
Then as my heart learns to treasure God, I become aware of the need to remain steadfastly in His word. The battle moves from the heart to my mind, where I must face the day to day bombardment by Satan, my surroundings, and my own thoughts.
2 Do not be conformed[c] to this present world,[d] but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve[e] what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober discernment, as God has distributed to each of you[f] a measure of faith.[g] Romans 12:2-3 NET
The Holy Spirit is there to help me discern truth from lies, if only I ask Him to.
Is Love an Emotion or a Command? Do You Treasure God?
The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ Mark 12:29 (NKJV).
It is the first Commandment. So, it is a command; but love remains also an emotion.
Jesus also said:
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. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10: 37-39 (NKJV)
For most of us, we do not love a child based on commanding our heart to love that child (although there may be moments when we must do just that). Yet, for the most part it is an emotion. When you first “fall in love”, you want to be always near the other person, you cannot imagine yourself away from them. Your heart hurts when not in their presence. Have you ever felt that way about Jesus? Do you treasure God, cherish Him and delight to be in His presence? It must by nature be both a command of the heart and an emotion.
At times we must command our hearts and minds to do that which is right, then the emotions will follow. Then, at other times, we are so overwhelmed by His grace, the emotions lead the way.
So it is we love Him with all our heart (emotions), our mind (determination of will) and strength (willing to fight for that love).
Do You Treasure God?
If you honestly see yourself with all the depravity of your own heart. Then you see God for who He IS- the creator of the Universe- who chose to love you enough to pay your penalty that you might be clothed in His righteousness, bathed in His love, showered in His joy, and drenched in His mercy. How could you not treasure God above all else? You would accept His Gift of salvation by believing in Jesus Christ, His son! Then, you would be amazed by that very Grace He has given you.
Your heart would long to be near Him, cherish Him and would grow to treasure God above all else. You would willingly lay aside all the ruble seeing it for what it is: flailing desires of a dead heart desiring life; but cannot find it
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.