Do You Really Love Me? By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
— Matthew 22:37 (NKJV)
Introduction
In a world filled with distractions, pressures, and competing priorities, the question of where our true affections lie becomes profoundly significant. The divine inquiry, “Do you really love Me?” is not merely a rhetorical question but a piercing call from God to His people to examine the depths of their hearts. This question, inspired by a prophetic message, challenges believers to move beyond superficial faith and confront the reality of their devotion to God. In an era where the cares of this life—work, wealth, status, and worldly pursuits—threaten to erode our relationship with the Creator, it is imperative to pause and allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts.
This lesson explores the urgency of prioritizing God above all else, the dangers of spiritual adultery through worldly attachments, and the necessity of returning to our first love. It calls for a renewed commitment to love God wholeheartedly, as He desires, and to reject the fleeting pleasures of this world that lead to spiritual ruin. Through scriptural insights and practical applications, this teaching aims to guide believers toward a purified, steadfast walk with God, ensuring that their lives reflect the love they profess. The message is clear: God demands our whole heart, and anything less is unacceptable in His sight.
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The Call to Heart-Searching
The question “Do you really love Me?” is a divine invitation to introspection. God, through His Holy Spirit, desires to search the hearts of His people to reveal any areas of compromise or divided loyalty. Many believers, caught up in the demands of daily life, may profess love for God while their actions tell a different story. The cares of this world—bills, ambitions, and societal pressures—can subtly draw us away from our devotion to God, leaving us entangled in pursuits that do not align with His will.
The Psalmist understood the importance of divine scrutiny when he prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). This prayer reflects a heart willing to be exposed and purified. When we allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, we open ourselves to conviction, correction, and cleansing. This process is not meant to condemn but to restore us to a place of intimacy with God, where He is truly our first love.
To love God genuinely requires intentionality. It means prioritizing time with Him, seeking His will above our own, and rejecting anything that competes for His place in our lives. Without this heart-searching, we risk becoming like those described in Isaiah 29:13: “These people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me.” Let us, therefore, invite the Spirit to reveal any hidden idols or distractions that hinder our love for God.
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The Dangers of Worldly Affections
The world, with its allurements, is a powerful force that seeks to draw believers away from God. The message warns that many, caught up in the pursuit of carnal treasures, become more in love with the world than with God. This spiritual adultery is not always blatant; it often begins subtly, as believers prioritize worldly success, comfort, or recognition over their relationship with God. The Apostle John cautions, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).
Worldly affections manifest in various ways: an obsession with material wealth, an unhealthy focus on career advancement, or an attachment to societal approval. These pursuits, while not inherently evil, become dangerous when they take precedence over God. The message highlights that those who are consumed by the world often grow distant from God, pretending to be His while their hearts are far from Him. This hypocrisy is offensive to God, as it violates the first and greatest commandment: to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).
The consequences of such divided loyalty are severe. The message warns that those who pursue the world may invite tragedies into their lives as a result of their choices. Just as a drunk driver careens toward disaster, those intoxicated by worldly values speed toward spiritual wreckage. The Apostle James describes this as spiritual adultery: “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” (James 4:4). To avoid these pitfalls, we must remain vigilant, keeping our vision single and our hearts fixed on God alone.
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Returning to Our First Love
For those who have drifted from God, there is hope in repentance and restoration. The message calls believers to return to their first love, as Jesus urged the church in Ephesus: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” (Revelation 2:4-5). Returning to our first love involves acknowledging where we have strayed, repenting of our worldly attachments, and recommitting to God as our highest priority.
Repentance is not merely feeling sorry for our sins but turning away from them and aligning our lives with God’s will. When we allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the “adulteries” in our hearts—those places where we have chosen the world over God—we must respond with humility and a desire for change. This process restores our relationship with God and rekindles the passion we once had for Him.
The story of the prodigal son illustrates this beautifully. After squandering his inheritance in pursuit of worldly pleasures, he came to his senses and returned to his father, who welcomed him with open arms (Luke 15:17-24). Similarly, God waits for us to return to Him, ready to forgive and restore. As we repent and prioritize Him, we find that He provides all we need to live a life that glorifies Him.
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The Priority of Loving God
God’s standard for His people has never changed: He demands our wholehearted love. The message emphasizes that loving God with all our heart is not optional but a foundational requirement for those who claim to follow Him. This love is demonstrated not in words alone but in our daily choices, priorities, and actions. Jesus declared, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience is the fruit of genuine love for God.
Loving God wholeheartedly means placing Him above all else—family, career, possessions, and personal ambitions. It requires a deliberate choice to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, trusting that He will provide for our needs (Matthew 6:33). When we prioritize God, we find that the cares of this life lose their grip on us. We are freed from the anxiety and emptiness that come with chasing fleeting treasures, and we discover the true riches found in Christ alone.
Moreover, loving God first aligns us with His purposes for our lives. The creation itself groans for the manifestation of God’s true sons and daughters—those who reflect His character and glory (Romans 8:19-22). By keeping God first, we fulfill His intention for us to be a light in a dark world, demonstrating His love and power to those around us.
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The Consequences of Neglect
The message warns that neglecting to love God first leads to spiritual and even physical consequences. Those who choose the world over God often face tragedies that serve as a wake-up call to return to Him. While God is merciful, He sometimes allows difficulties to shake us from our spiritual slumber and draw us back to Him. The writer of Hebrews reminds us, “Whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives” (Hebrews 12:6).
These consequences are not a sign of God’s abandonment but of His desire to restore us. However, we must not wait for tragedy to strike before examining our hearts. The message urges us to be proactive in seeking God, humbling ourselves, and repenting of any worldly attachments. By doing so, we avoid the wreckage that comes from spiritual drunkenness and remain steadfast in our devotion to God.
The story of King David serves as a powerful example. After his sin with Bathsheba, David faced severe consequences, yet his repentance restored his relationship with God (Psalm 51). Likewise, we must respond to God’s correction with humility, trusting that His discipline is for our good and His glory.
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Summary
The question “Do you really love Me?” is a divine call to examine our hearts and prioritize God above all else. The cares of this world can easily erode our devotion, leading to spiritual adultery and distance from God. However, through heart-searching, repentance, and a renewed commitment to love God wholeheartedly, we can return to our first love and fulfill His purposes for our lives. The consequences of neglecting this call are severe, but God’s grace is sufficient to restore those who turn back to Him.
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Conclusion
Loving God with all our heart is not a suggestion but a command that defines our relationship with Him. In a world that constantly pulls us toward its fleeting treasures, we must remain vigilant, keeping our vision single and our hearts fixed on God. By allowing the Holy Spirit to search and purify us, we can live lives that reflect our love for Him and bring glory to His name. Let us choose today to love God above all else, trusting Him to guide and provide for us as we walk in His truth.
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The Call to Action
Examine your heart today. Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where you have allowed the world to take precedence over God. Repent of any spiritual adultery, and commit to making God your first love. Set aside time daily to seek Him through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. Choose to prioritize His kingdom above all else, trusting that He will meet your needs and lead you into His perfect will.
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Final Word of Encouragement
God’s love for you is unending, and His desire is for you to walk closely with Him. Do not be discouraged by past failures or distractions. His grace is sufficient to restore you and empower you to love Him wholeheartedly. As you choose to keep Him first, you will find peace, purpose, and true fulfillment in His presence. Be steadfast, be faithful, and rejoice in being His.
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Prayer of Salvation
Heavenly Father, I come before You today, acknowledging that I have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. I confess that I have not always loved You with all my heart, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose again to give me new life. I surrender my life to You, Lord, and ask You to be my Savior and Lord. Cleanse me, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and help me to love You above all else. Guide me in Your truth and keep me in Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
