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Perhaps you have almost taken it for granted that you love Jesus, but it must not be taken for granted. Some of you have been born into a religious atmosphere, you have lived in the midst of godly people, and you have never been out into the wicked world to be tempted by its follies. Therefore, you have come to the careless conclusion that you must assuredly love the Lord. This is unwise and perilous. Never glory in armor that you have not tested, or rejoice in love for Christ that has not been tried and proven. What an awful thing if you should be deceived and mistaken!It is most kind of the Savior to raise a question about your love, and therefore to give you an opportunity to examine yourself and see whether you heart is right. It would be far better for you to err on the side of too much anxiety than on that of carnal security. To be afraid that you are wrong, and therefore to make sure of being right, will bring you to a far better end than being sure that you are right and therefore refusing to examine the ground of your hope. I want you to be fully assured of your love for Jesus, but I do not want you to be deceived by a belief that you have Him if you do not. "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts." (Psalm 139:23)
Remember, if anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, he will be "Anathema Maranatha" (1 Cor. 16:22), cursed at His coming. This applies to everyone, even though he may be very eminent. An apostle turned out to be a "son of perdition" (John 17:12) -- may not you? Any man, even though he may be a learned bishop, a popular pastor, a renowned evangelist, a venerable elder, an active deacon, or the most ancient member of the most orthodox congregation, may yet turn out not to be a lover of the Lord. Though he has gathered to break bread in the sacred name with a select company, if he does not truly love the Lord Jesus Christ, the curse rests on him, whoever he may be. So let us, right now, take from the Master's mouth the heart-searching word, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Let us take it to heart, as if it is addressed to each one of us, personally and alone.
[Spurgeon, C.H. Being God's Friend. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1997: 111-112]
Remember, if anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, he will be "Anathema Maranatha" (1 Cor. 16:22), cursed at His coming. This applies to everyone, even though he may be very eminent. An apostle turned out to be a "son of perdition" (John 17:12) -- may not you? Any man, even though he may be a learned bishop, a popular pastor, a renowned evangelist, a venerable elder, an active deacon, or the most ancient member of the most orthodox congregation, may yet turn out not to be a lover of the Lord. Though he has gathered to break bread in the sacred name with a select company, if he does not truly love the Lord Jesus Christ, the curse rests on him, whoever he may be. So let us, right now, take from the Master's mouth the heart-searching word, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Let us take it to heart, as if it is addressed to each one of us, personally and alone.
[Spurgeon, C.H. Being God's Friend. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1997: 111-112]
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