As a Christian, every now and then you need to make sure that you are doing what is right in your daily living. Therefore, how do you know you love Jesus? I mean really love Him. Not just wear-the-cross, post-the-verse-on-Facebook, “blessed and highly favored” kind of love! I’m talking about love that goes deeper than a church outfit and a Hallelujah. Some folks say, “Of course I love Jesus! I got a bumper sticker that says so!” Please let me remind you that just because you park in the garage, that doesn’t make you a car. Further, just because you sit in church doesn’t mean your heart is in Christ.
Jesus Himself laid it out plainly in John 14:15 (ESV): “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Ouch! That verse doesn’t say, “If you love me, sing louder.” It doesn’t say, “If you love me, make a good Easter post.” It is clearly saying, “If you love me, do what I say.” Loving Jesus is more than just feelings; it’s about faithful obedience. It’s when you want to clap back at somebody, but instead you “bite your tongue” because you remember Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers.” It’s when you forgive, even when they’re not sorry, because Jesus forgave you first.
Now let’s focus on the big “H” word—hypocrisy! Jesus rebuked folks who said one thing and did another. He said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Matthew 15:8 NIV). In other words, they talk the talk, but their walk is stuck in reverse. We’ve all seen that one person who can quote ten Scriptures but won’t say, “I’m sorry.” Loving Jesus means letting Him into all the rooms of your life, not just the Sunday morning sitting room. Love without action is just noise, and Jesus isn’t looking for fans. He’s looking for followers!
Let me bring it home with 1 John 4:20 (ESV): “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar…” Whew! That verse doesn’t sugarcoat anything. You cannot say you love Jesus and still carry hate in your heart as if it’s your side hustle. So how do you know you love Jesus? Check your actions, your heart, and check your neighbors, because how you treat them reflects whether Jesus is living in you. If you love Jesus, show it in the life you live, not just in the words you say. Real love walks, works, and worships even when nobody’s watching. Always abound in the faith, and never leave home without Him!
