جارٍ تحميل الأرشيف الحي.
How God Tests Our Love and Commitment
واصِل الاستكشاف
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We have talked so much about the unfailing love of God, but today I want to go straight to talk about the test of unfailing love. Many of us have read Romans 5:8, where it says, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Most of the time in this world, things are earned based on what you have worked for. But God is giving us things even when we have not worked for it.
We live in a world where love has been grossly misinterpreted and misunderstood. Society has reduced love to just a mere emotion—a fleeting feeling based on circumstances or selfish transactions. People say, "I love him because he has money" or "I love her because of this or that." But God's love is profound, sacrificial, and transformative. God's love delivers and has nothing to do with any circumstances.
Love in its serious form is not just a sentiment. Love is a deliberate choice that requires critical components. You must say, "I choose to love you regardless of the circumstances."
I have an elder sister who has been married for about 23 or 24 years. About 10 years into her marriage, I asked her how it felt staying with the same man for so long and whether she still loved him. She told me that initially, love is about the physical—"He's beautiful, he has a good height, he's handsome." But she said a time will come when the marriage moves from what you see to what you cannot see. The love moves from physical things to intangible qualities—his good heart, his caring nature, his emotions. Those things are no more physical; you cannot touch emotions.
That is where the love of God is. That is why, when circumstances change and things happen, you realize that it is that true love that keeps you.
I remember on my wedding day, standing beside my wife as the pastor gave the wedding vows. The vow said, "In goodness and in health, in sickness and in wealth." We made the vow, and my wife said afterwards, "Now you cannot change this one again. That's the end." A lot of people do not understand the power of those vows. It takes more than what you see; it takes an inner conviction; it takes the Holy Spirit to help you. We so often walk by sentiment, by what we see. That is why faith is not by what you see—it is by what you do not see. Love is not about what you see; it is about going beyond what you see.
Let's look at the love of God and how Jesus loved Simon Peter. In Luke 22:31-34, Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, Simon, indeed Satan asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat." Then Jesus told him, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day before you will deny me three times."
Imagine if someone told you that today—not tomorrow, but today—you were going to deny God. You would do everything in your power not to let that happen. Jesus knew that Peter was going to deny him. Jesus knew the exact number of times. But Jesus still loved him. Jesus said, "I have even prayed for you." Imagine if your best friend told you that he knew you were going to betray him, and he still loved you and still prayed for you. That is the love of God—a love that knows your weakness and loves you anyway.
When Jesus Christ was about to tell the disciples who was going to betray him, all 12 were present, but only John the Beloved understood what Jesus meant. Jesus said, "The person I dip this bread for is the one that will betray me." That is deep connection—a love language that others do not understand.
After Jesus rose from the dead, Peter went back to catching fish. Jesus appeared to them and miraculously filled their nets with 153 large fish. When Peter saw Jesus on the shore, the Bible says Peter jumped into the water.
In John 21:15-17, after they ate breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of Jonah, do you love me more than this?" Peter said, "Yes, Lord, you know I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
A second time, Jesus asked, "Simon son of Jonah, do you love me?" Peter said, "Yes, Lord, you know I love you." Jesus said, "Tend my sheep."
A third time, Jesus asked, "Simon son of Jonah, do you love me?" Peter was grieved and said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."
Jesus was not looking for words. He said, "Do not just tell me you love me—take action. Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep." Love is an action word. Love means commitment. Love demands unwavering dedication, not based on your convenience, but on a profound decision to stand firm.
There are times when we want to come to church even in difficult weather. It is so inconvenient, and we say, "Maybe I'll just watch it online." But it takes commitment and devotion. It goes beyond surface-level affection; it requires complete dedication and prioritization of the Beloved.
Love requires devotion. When you truly love God, you will go where He calls you, even when you do not feel like it. There are times when serving God is burdensome, but the moment you see the impact, your spirit quickens and you thank God for the opportunity.
Love requires close relationship and intimacy. The Bible tells us that Moses heard from God mouth to mouth and spent 40 days in God's presence. Intimacy is not about physical proximity; it is about a deep connection where two people understand each other without words. A parent can just look at their child, and the child knows what they mean. That is intimacy.
Love requires vulnerability. In a true relationship, you should feel free to be yourself. Some people are so uptight that they cannot be vulnerable even at home. But in a family where love exists, people can express themselves freely. I have a colleague who came to my home and saw how I talked to my father—with freedom and respect. He said in his house, his father is like a general. That is not love. Love requires the freedom to be vulnerable.
Love requires humility. Genuine love requires setting aside pride, embracing vulnerability, and placing others' needs above your own. Parents sacrifice for their children even when the children do not appreciate it. My wife spent hours preparing a wonderful meal for the children, and they just picked at it and threw it away. But that is what love does—it gives without expecting return.
Love requires shepherding. True love means caring for others, protecting them, nurturing them, and guiding them. When you see someone doing wrong, do not close your eyes. Guide them and tell them the right way.
Love requires testing. Authentic love is proven through trials, challenges, and difficult circumstances. The way you respond to testing reveals the true nature of your love for God.
Test One: Spiritual Attacks. As children of God, sometimes you go through battles. You start asking, "God, I am serving you. I am doing everything according to your word. Why is this attack coming?" But that is the work of the devil—he wants to test whether you truly serve God. It is just a test of your love. I pray in the name of Jesus that you will not fail.
Test Two: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone. Most of the time, we do not like to learn new things. Learning requires stepping out of comfort. I remember learning to drive in the UK on the opposite side of the road from what I knew. My brain refused to comprehend it. I was so afraid. The first instructor was harsh and told me I could never learn to drive in the UK. I left it for a year. But then I found a calm, patient instructor, and I tried again. When you step out of your comfort zone, your love for God is tested. Your faith will be tested, but if you hold on to God, He will see you through.
Matthew 14:28-30 tells the story of Peter walking on water. Peter said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus said, "Come." Peter came down and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind was boisterous, he was afraid and began to sink. He cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Many people criticize Peter for his doubt, but Peter is the only person in Scripture who walked on water twice. Because of his doubt, he sank the first time, but Jesus brought him out. Jesus told him to try again, and this time Peter walked. Peter did not have a Bible of faith; he just stepped out on the water and saw different things coming at him from all directions. He said, "Lord, help me," and God helped him. That was the test of his faith. Your promotion comes when you pass through things you have never experienced before.
Test Three: Moments of Denial and Pressure. Matthew 26:69-76 tells us about Peter's denial. Jesus had told him he would deny him, and it happened. A servant girl approached Peter and said, "You were with Jesus of Galilee." But Peter denied it, saying, "I do not know what you are saying." Another girl saw him and said, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth." Again, Peter denied it.
After a while, those standing by came to Peter and said, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you." Then Peter moved to a higher level of denial. He began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know this man!" And immediately, a rooster crowed—just as Jesus had told him.
But what happened next is important. Matthew 26:75 says, "Peter remembered the word Jesus had said to him: 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.' Then he went out and wept bitterly."
You know the difference between Peter and Judas Iscariot? Both wept. But Judas was so overcome with guilt that he killed himself. Peter said, "Oh, I have denied God. I have gone wrong. But Jesus, you are more than able to save me," and he repented. Jesus still loved Peter despite his denial. Your love for God will be tested. Things will come around that want you to deny Jesus Christ. There may be financial pressure; someone may say, "Just lie a little. Just add one zero. Just do one thing." May the Lord help us to stand firm under pressure.
Test Four: Sacrifice. The ultimate test of love is sacrifice. Genesis 22:1-2 tells us about Abraham. God told him, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."
Abraham had waited for 100 years for God to give him a son. Some theologians say Isaac was about 33 years old when this happened. And now God was asking him to sacrifice his only son. But look at what Hebrews 11:17-19 says: "By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. And he who had received the promise offered up his only begotten son, accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead. From which he also received him in a figurative sense."
Abraham knew that God had given him this boy, and the same God was asking him to offer him up. Abraham trusted that if he obeyed, even if he had to kill his son, God had the power to raise him from the dead. Abraham had never experienced resurrection, but he believed in God's power. And because Abraham went above and beyond, stretching himself to give his own self, God was able to bless him and his descendants.
As we close, beloved, your love for God will be tested. The question is: despite the test, will you fail or will you stand firm? When the devil comes knocking at your door with all manner of attack, will you stand firm and say, "Devil, I refuse you. You have no place in my life"?
When circumstances shake your home and your family, when you are going through challenges and asking, "Where is this Jesus whom I am serving?"—will you remain faithful? Will you choose not to look around at the surrounding circumstances but to keep your eyes on God? Will you say, "I choose to love God, and I choose to remain, despite all I see"?
The Bible tells us that God turned around the life of Peter. Peter became the chief Apostle. The power of God was so evident in his life that the Bible says even his aprons were taken out of his body, and they healed the sick. Peter served God to the end.
So this morning, my prayer for you is this: Lord, help us that our faith will not be shaken. Help us that our love will be firm no matter the circumstances. Whether it is sickness, family challenges, financial pressure, or any trial—Lord, strengthen us. Help us so that circumstances will not let us deny you. Help us to stand firm, trusting you and believing you always. In the name of Jesus.
