"I Love
Jesus, But...But..."
or
"Billygoat Religion"
In the religious world one hears an avowed love for Jesus, and yet the persons who avow such are standing in complete disobedience to the Lord. "I love you, Jesus, and I believe that you are the Son of God; I will obey you, but I don't think baptism has anything to do with salvation." (In spite of: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:36-41). "I love you, Jesus, but I don't think the church is too important." (In spite of: Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23). "I love you, Jesus, and I believe that you want me to assemble each Sunday to worship you, but...but..." (In spite of: Hebrews 10:25-26; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).
Thus it becomes necessary for us to ascertain just WHO it is that truly loves Jesus. More than an assertion of love is demanded to satisfy God in the matter. One proves his love rather than merely boast of it - "...love vaunteth not itself..." (1 Corinthians 13:4). Here is a quick, sure fire test for those who say they love Jesus: "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). "Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you" (John 15:14). "Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments" (1 John 5:2).
True love for Jesus, our Lord and Savior, will be manifest in loyalty to God's word. To teach error, to have a spirit of compromise concerning plain commands, to obey man-made laws due to a lack of study, all show the complete shallowness of pretended love. When a person truly loves Jesus, sincerely respects and obeys His commands, never will he/she say, "I love you, Jesus, but...but..."
Is your love an obedient love for Jesus, or is it a "Billygoat Religion"?
From Our Archives, 1984
By: Buford Carroll