It’s one thing to know about someone, but it’s something else to really know them. Reading about love is not the same as experiencing it yourself. In our relationship with God, we are called to love Him with everything we have.
The Great Falling Away
Today, church buildings may look impressive, but many hearts inside are growing cold. Many American churches focus on keeping up their buildings, fixing roofs, updating lights, and repairing doors, while the people inside are struggling. We have mixed up the building with the real church, the event with the true experience, and the gathering with what church really means.
The great falling away is not something in the future; it is already happening. Every Sunday, people sit in pews and hear messages meant to make them feel good instead of helping them grow. They listen to sermons that sound nice but never reach their hearts. They leave church the same as they came, without any real change.
Jim Baker, a televangelist who had a very public downfall, once said, “I never stopped loving Jesus. I just stopped fearing Him.” His words show the problem in modern Christianity. Many have accepted a weak kind of faith that asks nothing of us and changes nothing in our lives.
The Partnership of Love and Fear
Scripture calls us to love the LorThe Bible tells us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. But this love should also include fear, not fear as in being scared, but a deep respect. Imagine a child holding their father’s hand while walking on a narrow mountain path. The path gets tighter and the drop-off is steep, but the child keeps going because their dad is holding their hand. The child might feel afraid, but trusts who is in control.oly respect that recognizes His authority and power. It’s the same healthy fear that causes children to respect their parents, not because they’re terrified, but because they understand the relationship. When God disciplines us, it’s not because He hates us. It’s because He loves us enough to shape us into who we’re meant to be.
Love with All Your Heart
The heart is where everything begins. Jesus said that what fills our hearts comes out in our words. You cannot tell your family you love them if you never show it. In the same way, you cannot say you love God if you never spend time with Him or follow His commands.
Many of us wish we could slow down what we say, but the real problem is not our thoughts. The real issue is what is in our hearts. When we say hurtful things, get angry suddenly, or act selfishly, these are not just mistakes in thinking. They show what is truly in our hearts.
What are you putting into your heart? What do you watch, read, listen to, and who do you spend time with? If I know your friends, I can guess your future. If I know what fills your heart, I can see who you are becoming.
When Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana, He showed love for His mother by doing what she asked. If you love the Lord, keep His commandments. Love is not just a feeling; it is shown by obedience.
Love with All Your Soul
Your soul is the part of you that lasts forever, whether in heaven or hell. Many people focus on their outward appearance but ignore their soul. As the saying goes, they put lipstick on a pig. They do all the right things, like going to church, serving, and giving money, but their soul stays the same.
In Matthew 7, Jesus warns about people who will say, “Lord, Lord,” but He will answer, “Depart from me. I never knew you.” These people were not criminals. They did good things in Jesus’ name, like feeding others, giving water, and maybe even preaching, but their souls never changed. They acted like church members instead of truly becoming the church.
Working out your salvation is more than just avoiding punishment. It means letting God change you, removing what should not be there and adding what should be. This is a daily process of becoming who God made you to be.
Love with All Your Mind
Your mind acts as a filter, sending information to your heart. If you put in bad things, bad things will come out. The enemy knows this and is very subtle. He rarely uses obvious evil. Instead, he hides harmful things in attractive ways, like a catchy song with questionable lyrics, a popular movie with messages against the Bible, or social media that slowly changes how you think.
Inside each of us are two sides: a spiritual side and an earthly side. The side you feed more will become stronger. If you watch more TV than you read your Bible, spend more time on social media than praying, or listen to more secular content than spiritual, you are feeding the wrong side.
Paul tells us to focus our thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. What we let into our minds shapes who we are. It affects our choices, our relationships, and our future.
Worship That Honors God
When we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, our worship is real. We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and that should make us thankful. Our worship, whether through singing, serving, giving, or obeying, should show true gratitude.
True worship is not always easy or comfortable. It means serving even when you are tired, giving even when money is tight, loving people who are hard to love, and standing up for truth even when it is unpopular. It means helping others, even if they do not thank you. It means showing up when no one sees and keeping going when others criticize.
Worshiping with reverence and awe means we remember who God is and what He has done. It is amazing that He still stays with us after all we have done. We should be amazed that He woke us up today, while many others did not. We are still here because God has a purpose for us today.
The Challenge
The real question is not if you go to church or know the right words. The real question is: Do you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind? Does your life show that love by how you obey? Does your worship show true thankfulness? Are you amazed by what God can do and is doing?
God does not need you, but He chooses to use you. He does not have to wake you up each day, but He does because He has a plan for your life. Ask yourself: is your love for God real enough to make a difference? The real church is not a building; it is you.
Thoughts from Pastor Toney 