Simon Peter did love the Lord, even though he had denied Him. But no longer would he boast of his love for Jesus. That is always a wise thing to do. Never boast of your love for God. Instead boast of His love for you. Don't tell me how much you love Him, how much you have done for Him, how wonderful of a servant you are. No—tell me how much He has done for you, how much He loves you, all that He has worked out in your life.
How can we tell if a person loves the Lord?
A person who loves the Lord will long for personal communion with God. The psalmist said, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God" (Psalm 42:1).
A person who loves the Lord will love the things He loves and hate the things He hates. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good" (Romans 12:9).
A person who loves the Lord will long for the return of Jesus. The Apostle John prayed, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20).
A person who loves the Lord will keep His commandments. Jesus Himself said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15).
If you really love God, it will be shown in your life. "Do you love me?" Jesus said to Peter. "And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You' " (John 21:17).
And Jesus is still asking that question of all of us. "Do you love me?" I wonder what our answer would be.
