Do you love Jesus enough to share this article?

“Share this post if you love Jesus.” “Like this picture if you are thankful for what Jesus has done for you.” “Tag someone if Jesus has saved you!”

Expressions like this are littered all over the Internet. They come up as ads, social media posts and website promotions. And they entice Christian readers to comment, share and like, spreading a gospel of “love” and “forgiveness.”

Personally, I do love Jesus. I love Him with the whole of my heart. He has indeed saved me and I am extremely thankful for that. But, I can’t help but feel that there’s something missing in such appeals.

Keep my commandments

Interestingly enough, Jesus Himself tells us exactly what we need to do to prove our love to Him. And it doesn’t involve a “share” a “like” or a repost. He says, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15.

To keep Jesus’ commandments means that we are obedient to His word; that we do what He says. When Jesus says, “Judge not,” (Matthew 7:1) for example, we are to do exactly that: stop judging! Our love for Christ isn’t proven when we refrain from speaking a judgmental word or two. It’s proven when we make a conscious effort to refrain completely and entirely from condemning others in our heart and mind!

Likewise, when Jesus tells us that we need to keep our hearts pure with all zeal (Matthew 5:21-30) then we need to do take heed to His word! We cannot be half-hearted when it concerns sexual lusts, hatred, judging, or anything else that would separate us from God. We need to take up a battle; we have to fight so that we keep Jesus’ commandments in our own lives. This means that a clear and resounding “No!” needs to ring in our hearts toward everything that is impure.

Not everyone will enter the kingdom of heaven

Jesus says that “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21.

I think about what these words mean in today’s context. In many ways, it seems that Christianity has been watered down. Many people cry out “Lord, Lord!” They update their religion status on Facebook to Christianity, subscribe to a daily Bible verse and maybe even mention Jesus a couple of times in the break room.

But, how many people have a living interest in accomplishing God’s will with their lives? How many people actually keep His commandments? Where is the true love for Christ, the love that sacrifices its own?

More than a “like”

For my own part, I see that true Christianity and a true love for Christ requires something much greater than simply acknowledging that Jesus was “a great guy.” Because the truth is, Jesus gave His life for me. He shed His precious blood that I might be saved from my own sin. It doesn't work to say that I love Jesus if I disregard His word and if I do not follow His example in sacrificing my own will. To do so would be hypocrisy.

“This is love, that we walk according to His commandments.” 2 John 1:6.

We don’t prove our love for Jesus when we double tap our screens or even when we breathe a “yea” and “amen” to something that was quite encouraging. We prove our love for Christ when we keep His commandments, when we are obedient to His word and Spirit in our lives and daily situations. This is true love and is the only real admiration and love that Jesus desires.