The love of God made perfect: Love that comes from both sides
Usually people think that if a person has lots of spiritual gifts, God must really love him. However, this shows only God’s love for us, not our love for Him. The only proof that God has that we love Him is if we keep His commandments.
During revivals, we often see that people receive a lot of spiritual gifts. You would think that people who have been so richly blessed by God would love God very much in return. But as the years go by, it often shows that these people fail when they just have to be a little bit obedient to God’s commandments. They are enthusiastic as long as they get a lot of spiritual gifts—as long as nothing is asked of them. But as soon as God asks a little act of obedience, they become totally discouraged and lose all hope. Is this the tried faith that is more precious than gold? (1 Peter 1:7.) No! This is why the apostle says, “All those who obey his word are people whose love for God has really been made perfect.” 1 John 2:5 (GNB).
One-sided love is not perfect love. To be perfect love, it must come from both sides. Only then can it be said that we are in Him and He in us. (1 John 3:24.)
The love of God is made perfect in fellowship with the Father and the Son
The commandment to love is an old commandment - as long as it is only true from God’s side; but if we keep His commandments, the old commandment will become like a new commandment that becomes true in us, just as it is true in Him. This love from God for us and from us for God will drive out the darkness in our heart, and the true light will shine in its full strength. The prophetic Word is like a light shining in a dark place. The prophetic Word is God’s commandments. By keeping His commandments, we will see the dark places in our heart, and everything that was light and truth in Him will become light and truth in us. If we continue being obedient to God’s commandments, then “the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19.)
“We are telling you about what we have seen and heard because we want you to have fellowship with us. The fellowship we share together is with God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. We write these things to you so that you can be full of joy with us.” 1 John 1:3-4 (ERV).
It is impossible to have fellowship with the Father and the Son without keeping God’s commandments. If we don’t keep His commandments, we will not be full of joy.
Keeping God’s commandments
Many people deceive themselves, never thinking about what God’s will is for them! They think all the time of the past, thinking back about the day they were saved, or the day they were baptised in the Spirit and received the gift of tongues. But the apostle Paul forgot what was behind and ran after the things that were ahead.
If we want to make progress in God’s kingdom in the days to come, we need to find out what God’s commandments are, know His will and offer ourselves in the power of the eternal Spirit. In this way we will blossom as a garden of the Lord. Those who thought you were living a heavy life as a slave to the Law, will be really surprised when they realise that—contrary to their belief—this really was God’s way—the way they had rejected.