Being a child of God has its benefits. Not only do we share in God's divine nature in Christ, we also get to share in His work of bringing His love to everyone in the world.
While being a child of God has its benefits, there are a few things that only those who love God can enjoy.
Yes, that's true. Being a child of God is different from being someone who loves God truly.
Loving God
Many have misguided ideas about what loving God looks like. To some, loving God means praying. To some, loving God means going to church, especially on Sundays. To others, loving God means doing good to others.
While these things are true, these actions in themselves don't fully capture what it means to love God.
The Lord Jesus tells us how loving God really looks like:
"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me." (see John 14:23-24)
When we love God, we do the things He commands us to do. And when we obey Him and do what He commands us to do, He promises to make His home with us. Just think how intimate that is!
More joys to enjoy
To encourage all of us to love God, here are a few things that God reserves for those who love Him.
1) All things will work to make you more like Christ
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:28-29)
2) God promises to hear and respond to your cries with deliverance and salvation
"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." (Psalm 91:14-16)
3) Amazing surprises await those who love Him
"But as it is written:
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."" (1 Corinthians 2:9)
