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What my grief over my sin reveals.
How can I know that I really love Jesus?
Do I really love Jesus?
Silly question, right? I am a former pastor who now teaches seminary. Of course, I love Jesus.
But how do I know that I love him? And what about you? How do you know if you really love Jesus?
What is the evidence of love? By what standard could I be accused of being a Jesus-lover? Not just a Jesus preacher or Jesus follower. But a Jesus lover.
Consider the promise of Romans 8:28.
“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.”
According to this text, the hope of the Lord’s sovereign plan weaving all the pieces of our lives in a way that leads to ultimate blessing is not a promise for humanity in general nor for those who are merely members of a church.
The promise is reserved for those who love God.
After the apostle Peter’s famous crash and burn moment of denial on the evening of Jesus’ crucifixion, he was reinstated. Part of the informal restoration ceremony included Jesus asking Peter…
