DO YOU LOVE ME?

“Do you Love Me?” Twice did Jesus asked Peter, after the breakfast by the sea, after His Resurrection (John 21:1-14). Okay,technically it was twice ‘cause the first time He asked “Do you love Me more than these?” After each reply Jesus gave Peter a different commandment.

*Feed My lambs. John 21:15

*Tend My sheep. John 21:16

*Feed My sheep. John 21:17

Feed My lambs: The first commandment to prove that you love God (in this context). Peter in all 3 cases represents the “true leaders” in the church, and the lambs represent the new converts/ spiritual babies, and possibly those who are about to be born-again. Before Peter could start, Jesus asked “do you love me more than these?” What He meant was that did Peter love Him with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, did he love Him more than he loved the world? That was the condition for him to start feeding Jesus’ lambs.

Let’s be realistic, how many leaders in the church have such love for God or even have any intention of having such? Just a few. Instead, what we have are many wolves in sheep’s clothing, deceiving, oppressing and devouring the lambs instead of feeding them. And when they feed them they do so with false and destructive doctrines, whereas they should be fed with milk from the Word, the essentials, being spiritual babes/ new converts.

Watching their so-called spiritual leaders or false shepherds the lambs are easily mislead because their leaders actions barely correlate with what they preach.

2 Peter 2 is a whole chapter about them.

But Jesus wants His lambs to be fed with milk, the first principle of the oracle of God, the Gospel of Salvation & Redemption. (Hebrews 5:12-13).

 

Tend My sheep: Obviously, this isn’t about preaching; but about giving, caring “through love”, providing covering for those under us (both physical and spiritual). And I ain’t talking about giving the way the world does, to show off, out of pride, or for conscience sake. But it should be from a humble heart and a clear conscience, giving should be a medium to extend God’s Arm of Divine Love to the world (particularly to those who can’t seem to reach It), carrying their burdens.

Sadly, many in the church don’t do this, some give, but probably just to “fulfill all righteousness”. The attitude God wants us to have to those under our covering or in need is that which David had when a lion and a bear attacked his father’s sheep (1Samuel 17:34-36); or that of the man in the “parable of the lost sheep” (Luke 15:1-7). That’s how God wants us to treat the burdened, helpless, the destitute and so on. Yeah I know we all have our baggage to carry, but aren’t we saved & called to be the light of the world, or would your candle go off if you use yours to light another’s? No! But instead, it makes the room brighter. Just make sure your candle doesn’t go off while trying to light someone else’s

Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Philippians 2:4 Do not let each man look upon his own things, but each man also on the things of others.

But without “walking in Love” it’s impossible to tend to God’s sheep the way He wants us to.

Feed My sheep: The third fruit of walking in love (in this context).

Jesus asks us to “feed His sheep”… with the mystery of God, in-depth revelation knowledge from God; solid food, true concrete doctrine of God’s Word (Hebrews 5:14). Not the false, diluted, ego- sparking, compromising teachings we hear these days. Until an appreciable part of the church reaches this level, I doubt if Christ will return.

Revelation 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he will begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as He has declared to His servants the prophets.

 For us to get to this level, we need to keep studying and diligently practicing His Words/ Instructions, picking up your cross (and helping others with theirs) and crucifying your flesh daily, without compromise.

God’s looking for a new breed of Christians who’ll keep themselves spotless from the world; who’ll feed His lambs, tend his sheep, feed his sheep; and disciple the nations.

He’s working on, and recruiting members or His Perfect end-time church… That’s you and I.

Grace be with you all… Amen!