Love? Not.

In both services this past Sunday, Pastor Richie shared a criticism he heard from a friend. His friend said something to the effect of, "You think too many people are Christians. There aren't that many people who want to spend time with Jesus. They want something from Him, but they don't want Him."

What an indictment. And it might be true. Why are our churches full every week, for decades, but their surrounding communities remain untransformed? Perhaps it's because time spent in church is not equivalent to time spent with Christ.

How is love towards God expressed?

Jesus says that if we love Him, that love will be expressed through obeying His commandments. "If you obey My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and remain in His love." (John 15:10)

And what is His command? "My commandment is this- to love one another just as I have loved you." (John 15:12)

Wow. And how was the love of God expressed through Christ? Philippians 2:5-11 shows us that Jesus put aside His glory and came to earth in humility, choosing to experience servanthood, suffering, and death so that the world might be saved.

What about you? Do you want Jesus, realizing the cost of discipleship? Or do you just want to get things from Him?