What does really mean to believe? A safe place to begin would be to ask the question of whether Jesus was who He said he was and the words He spoke were the truth; that He meant what He said and said what He meant. If we can start with the concept that Jesus really did mean what He said, then we can examine whether or not we really believe what He said.
Jesus said, “all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.” (Rev 21:8)
Do we really believe Him? Will we lie to protect ourselves? Will we lie to justify ourselves? Will we lie to protect our reputation or possibly the lack thereof? Jesus said that Satan was the father of lies or that is to say, the originator of lies. If we lie, then who are we the spokesman of? On the other hand, if we speak the truth, who are we the spokesman of?
If we lie, we embrace a lie and ultimately the father of lies. If we love the truth, then we will embrace the truth. Jesus didn’t just say I speak the truth; He said I am the truth. (John 14:6) One way we can look at it is if we truly love the truth then we love Jesus himself.
Many times the truth is not easy to receive and many times it is outright difficult especially when the truth is about ourselves.
Jesus is looking for a bride. He is looking for those who truly love Him. He isn’t interested in those who claim to love Him but in reality don’t.
Imagine if you were a very wealthy man, even the wealthiest person in the world; that you could offer your bride the most enjoyable life anyone could imagine. Now just imagine how many would desire to be your bride. How many would love to be married to the “richest man in the world”?
How would you determine whether someone really loved you? How would you determine whether they really loved you or the rewards you offered by being married to you?
Now how many today, who claim to love Jesus, really love Jesus? Do they truly love Jesus or merely desire the rewards and benefits He offers? Everyone wants to go to heaven but will everyone who desires to go to heaven actually get there? Jesus said that not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 7:21)
Wouldn’t it make sense that the one who owns it all would test the love of his potential bride? Jesus made it clear how He would determine whether or not someone really loves Him. He said if a man loves me, he will obey me. (John 14:15,23)
If you want to follow me to be with me, this is what it will cost you. This is the price you must pay to demonstrate that you really love me. You can’t love anyone more than me, including yourself because I won’t compete for anyone else’s love.
In order to follow me, you must follow my example. I demonstrated my love for you by laying down my life for you. You must do the same. I forsook all for you, you must demonstrate the same love for me. Once you not only commit your love for me but demonstrate it, then you will divorce and ultimately liberate yourself from your former lover and you will be free to follow me to be with me.
There is no easy way out. This is the price you must pay to be my bride.
Am I worth it? You were worth it all to me. Am I worth it all to you?
Leave a Comment