WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"  (John 21:17)

When Tina Turner recorded "What's Love Got To Do With It?" it was an immediate hit.  The truth is, love may be the most powerful emotion that we will ever experience, and yet many are reluctant to express it.  Or perhaps, they are not really in love.

When Jesus asked Peter whether he loved Him He was not asking about Peter's love for the Kingdom or whether Peter believed His doctrines; or even whether Peter trusted Jesus.  All of these can be accomplished without actually loving Jesus.  He is asking Peter, do you have an undeniable, unconditional, personal love for Him.  There was no beating around the bush in the question that Jesus asked Peter.   Jesus was concerned about Peter's true feelings.  Of course Jesus is also concerned about our feelings as well.  DO WE REALLY LOVE JESUS?

Coming to church is good, but it does not necessarily infer love for Christ.  Holding an office in the Church is not enough either.  Peter was the leader of the Disciples.  But Jesus was not into titles.  He was into Love.

Just being excited about Church does not prove that a person loves Jesus.  Peter was on fire all of the time.  Many of us can sing, praise, and even pray with the best of them, but the question remains:  "Do we really love Jesus?"  Giving up something for Him is not proof in itself that one loves Jesus.  The disciples had given up all that they had to follow Jesus.  Yet still Jesus asked Peter the question, do you love me?  Success in ministry is not proof that someone loves Jesus.  Some ministries are very successful, but Jesus is saying that their hearts still need to be examined for love.

SO WHAT DOES LOVE HAVE TO DO WITH IT?  EVERYTHING.  Unless we truly love Jesus Himself, by having a personal attachment to Him, we are falling short of what Christianity is really all about.  So ask yourself, "Do you really love Jesus?"