Anathema Maranatha (12 Cor. 16:22) (Part 5)

Conclusion (Part 2):

• As we close, it is fitting to ask, “What does it mean to “love the Lord”?
• To love the Lord means more than believing certain things.
• If polled, every church-goer in Corinth would've responded, “Yes, of course I believe in Jesus!”
• However, Paul wasn't addressing a lack of belief but a lack of love.
• To love the Lord means . . . are you ready to hear this? . . . to love the Lord means to obey Him.
• Jn. 14:15 > “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
• Jn. 14:21a > “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me . . .”
• 1 Jn. 2:4-6 > “The one who says, “ I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” 
• What, then, is Paul's conclusion?
• “Show me a man who says that he believes in Jesus yet will not conform to His teaching through lifestyle obedience, and I will show you a man who doesn't love Jesus.”
• It's more about what you do than about what you say.
• The proof of belief is love and the outcome of love is obedience.
• Serving Jesus requires careful and serious living.
• It is healthy for each one to evaluate honestly:
• Do I love the Lord Jesus?
• Is my love for Him deeper than emotion, that is, evident by my obedience?
• Is there an area of disobedience I need to surrender to Jesus right now?
• Is the consequence of disobedience something I'm willing to stake my eternal existence upon?
• Since the consequence for a lifestyle of not loving Jesus means separation from Him and His Church, we must deal immediately with all disobedience.