If I Loved Jesus, I Would …

“Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?”  (John 21:16) This question addressed to Peter three times, is perhaps the most searching of all questions made by Jesus Christ.  This question also penetrates the deepest recesses of my soul.  Yes, I may say I love Jesus.  Yes, I may think I love Jesus, but do I truly love Him?  He first loved me, but am I loving Him in return?

• If I loved Jesus, I would believe and trust in His Word..
• If I loved Jesus, I would repent of my sin and accept Him as my Lord and Savior.
• If I loved Jesus, I would enjoy walking with Him every day.
• If I loved Jesus, I would pour out my heart to Him.
• If I loved Jesus, I would enjoy opening up His Word and listening to Him every day.
• If I loved Jesus, I would share His love with my family, friends and others.
• If I loved Jesus, I would seek to please Him in all that I say, think and do.
• If I loved Jesus, I would forgive others as He has forgiven me.
  
• If I loved Jesus, I would obey Him, no matter the consequences.
• If I loved Jesus, I would trust him with every area of my life.
• If I loved Jesus, I would love others as He has loved me.
• If I loved Jesus, I would serve Him wherever He would call me
• If I loved Jesus, I would live each day to bring honor and glory to Him.
• If I loved Jesus, I would love my wife, as He loves the church.
• If I loved Jesus, I would raise my children to know Him and love Him.
• If I loved Jesus, I would look forward to being with Him in heaven.
• If I loved Jesus, I would quickly confess my sins unto Him.
• If I loved Jesus, I would give him thanks for all of His blessings in my life.
• If I loved Jesus, I would meditate upon His words, His titles and His attributes.
• If I loved Jesus, I would be content and not have a complaining spirit.
• If I loved Jesus, I would love His church, of which He is the Head.
• If I loved Jesus, I would make him the priority relationship in my life..
• If I loved Jesus, I would sing praises unto Him because He is worthy.
• If I loved Jesus, I would seek His guidance in every decision I make.
• If I loved Jesus, I would find refuge in Him during the trials of my life.
• If I loved Jesus, I would learn to wait upon Him when I get impatient.
• If I loved Jesus, I would cast all of my cares upon Him because He does care.

“Dear Lord Jesus, your love is beyond anything I can comprehend.  I don’t deserve to be loved by you. You have been extremely patient and merciful unto me.  As I reflect upon my love for you, I can see that I have fallen far short of loving you with all of my heart, my soul and my mind.  I know that you are easy to love; and yet I find it so difficult to love you as I ought.  My selfishness, my pride, my desires and my lack of faith keep me from pouring out my love to you.  Please forgive me for my lack of love towards you. Thank you for not quitting on me. Thank you for your continued work in my life.  Thank you for the fact that one day when I see you face to face, I will love you as I ought.  Though I know my love is incomplete now, I want to say: “I love you, Lord.”