The True Test Of A Man By Pastor Lanre Oluseye

We quote I Corinthians 2:9 frequently when we have expectations, but often forget that there is a condition attached to the promise in it. The condition is that you must love the Lord.

Romans 8:28 reiterates that all things work together only for those who love the Lord. God is not legalistic but He is just. When He gives a condition, you can only get the result after you meet the condition.

God loves everyone but not everyone loves God (John 3:16). God’s love is constant and not in doubt but do you love Him? (I John 4:19).

Loving God is not in song or words but in heart. The true test of a man is found in his love for God.

It’s the beginning of the year and we have all set goals – financial, marital, career, educational, relationship, family, etc.; but do you have SMART spiritual goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timebound? This year, God does not want us to chase things but to chase Him.

Romans 8:28-30 (NKJV) – This is how God measures your love for Him; that you seek the destiny He ordained for you – to become like Christ. Real glory is in how much like Jesus you are.

Revelations 2:1-4 – Activity is not love if your heart is not right. Your first love is the joy of your salvation (Psalm 51:12). When you lose it you’re no longer excited about the things of God. God’s love is intoxicating. You cannot love Jesus and be silent (John 14:28,29).

This year, ask God to restore to you the joy of His salvation – to enjoy loving God and serving Him again, without anticipating physical reward. A relationship with Jesus is our ultimate objective, not the things we can get through Him.

Revelations 2:5 (NKJV) – The way to go back to your first love is to go back to your first works; prayer, studying the Word, evangelizing, just being in the presence of God.

Revelations 2:6,12-15 (NKJV) – Do not follow the doctrines of the Nicolaitans that teach grace without accountability. Genuine love for God places restraints on you.

Matthew 24:12 (KJV) – Love for God grows cold when a wrong lifestyle is made popular and normalized, numbing its gravity. This leads to the ungodly lifestyle patterns described in II Timothy 3:1-5 (MSG).

The true test of a man is in how you love God. Take God seriously this year.

Prayer:

Father this year, I want to love You. It is You or nothing. You all the way. My love for you will be evident. Amen.