As true Christians, we are to have and reflect God’s Love in our lives. But do we? We are warned that many will experience that their Love will grow cold; that they may lose their first Love; and that they might even lose God’s Holy Spirit and with it God’s Love. How can we prevent this from happening to us? What connection is there between God’s Love and God’s Law? Is it true that the Greek words for love–the noun “agape” and the verb “agapao”–can refer to something else than Godly Love, as some claim?
Examination
For Life
When we decided to become baptized and live God’s Way, we made a life-long decision. We counted the cost and chose God over everything else. But in time, our first love and enthusiasm might have diminished. Other priorities might have taken hold of us. Sin might have become less serious in our minds, and ongoing repentance might have been looked at as rather unimportant. How dedicated are we today to hold fast until the end?
Examination and Self-Deception
We are admonished to examine ourselves to make sure that we are in the faith and walk worthy of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. But are we the victims of self-deception, thinking we are doing fine, while we are not?
