Love Separates Us from God!

Love does separate us from God, not His love but ours. The Scripture says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15 NIV). When our love is of the things of this world we have not given our hearts to God. We may look religious and even act religious but our heart is of this world. Let me give you a few examples in the Bible.

The church at Ephesus had lost their love for Christ; they were just going through the motions. “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place (Rev 2:1-5 NIV). You can have works without love but it will profit you nothing, however, love always produces works.

In Isaiah God confronts Israel’s works without love. “Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah! “The multitude of your sacrifices — what are they to me?” says the LORD. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations — I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean (Isa 1:10-16 NIV).

Wow! All the requirements set by the Lord and His appointed feast “His soul hates” and they had become a burden to Him! Why? Even though these were His requirements and their religious obligation they did it without love, they served God with externalism only. God doesn’t want sacrifices, He wants our hearts. Is this not true in our own relationships? Of course it is. If our spouse is unfaithful does their daily provisions and financial support suffice to keep the relationship from failure? Absolutely not! We want both their heart and for them to provide financial support, that is being responsible. Can we then have love with no works, this in itself is an oxymoron. Love expresses itself through works and good deeds.