1. Does one love the Lord when he stays away from the worship intentionally and willfully (Heb. 10:25)? Is it not the case that we love to be with those whom we love? It seems to us if we love the Lord we will want to be with His people every time we can.

2. Does one love the Lord if he will not read and study the Bible (II Tim. 2:15)? We love to talk with those whom we love, and we love for them to talk to us. God only talks to us when we want Him to, and that is when we read the Bible. Do you let His word dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16-17)?

3. Does one love the Lord who will not defend His word (Jude 3)? If someone jumps on a friend of mine and falsely acuses him, I have tried always to stand up and speak out and defend him. Why? Because I love that person. What will one do if he truly loves the Lord?

4. Does one really love the Lord who will not tell others about Him (Matt. 18:18-20)? We tell others about people we really and truly love.

5. Does one who does not care what others think about himself love the Lord? Timothy was told by Paul to be an example of the believer (I Tim. 4:8). Jesus tells us to be a light in the world (Matt. 5:15-17). The Philippian church was to be a light (Phil. 2:15).

6. Does one love the Lord who goes about using profanity and filthy language (Eph. 4:29)? God’s name is never to be taken in vain (Ex. 20:7). What would you think of a person that goes about taking the name of their father and mother in vain?

7. Does one love the Lord if he is ashamed of the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16-17)? Did you know that the Lord is ashamed of those who are ashamed of Him (Matt. 10:22-23)?

8. Does one love the Lord if he is ashamed of the church of Christ (Eph. 5:25)? Jesus died for the church, thus for one to be ashamed of His church is but to be ashamed of Christ.

9. Are you ashamed to acknowledge faithful and loyal gospel preachers when in the presence of others (II Tim. 1:8)? Paul was forsaken by all, and he prayed God would forgive them of this deed (II Tim. 4:16).

Do you really love the Lord Jesus Christ?

– Malcolm L. Hill January 12, 1934- June 26, 2012