There are people who believe they can fly. They believe this to the core of their being. They would not give it a second thought to leap off a tall building to prove that they can fly.
But they can’t.
No matter how much they believe they can.
When one’s belief doesn’t jive with reality, it’s not belief but a delusion.
One can believe with all their being that they love Jesus. But when our life choices and behaviors are not consistent with our belief, it’s not faith. It’s a delusion.
I am pastor. I’ve studied theology. I have a Masters Degree in Divinity. I’ve preached hundreds, if not thousands, of sermons. I have read hundreds of books about God. I can tell you quite a bit about God. And I really do believe I love God.
It’s just that my life choices and behaviors and thoughts don’t always reflect that reality.
Jesus says, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do what I command you?” Luke 6:46.
Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commands” John 14:15.
It’s not that working really, really hard to obey and keep Christ’s commands is the pathway to loving God.
It’s that when we love God and love Jesus, obeying and keeping his commands are the natural result of love.
It’s so much easier to make my faith about working harder and doing the right thing. But what God truly desires from me is my heart and my love.
I wish there was a twelve step plan to make me love God more. I would do it. Because I love God.
But that’s just the thing. You can’t force love.
Loving God comes from being in love. While I love God, I am not sure if I’m in love with God as I once was.
I want to recapture my first love that I had for my Savior. I long to be in love with God again. I want to recapture that passion and zeal for God.
Praxis: Faith in Action 