Ezekiel 33:1-6  – “The Lord’s message came to me: ² “Son of man, speak to your people, and say to them, ‘Suppose I bring a sword against the land, and the people of the land take one man from their borders and make him their watchman.  ³ He sees the sword coming against the land, blows the trumpet, and warns the people, ⁴ but there is one who hears the sound of the trumpet yet does not heed the warning.  Then the sword comes and sweeps him away.  He will be responsible for his own death.  ⁵ He heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, so he is responsible for himself.  If he had heeded the warning, he would have saved his life.  ⁶ But suppose the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people.  Then the sword comes and takes one of their lives.  He is swept away for his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for that person’s death.”

The idea of responsibility and love gripped my heart as I prayed, read, and pondered the Word of God today.   In Ezekiel 33, we have the responsibility of “The Watchmen” to give a warning.   The Holy Spirit challenged my heart by warning me of danger.  We tend to consider things none of our business and sit silently, adopting the worldview of ‘live and let live.’

I heard, “Is that love?”   If we see danger (sin endangers eternity), any danger, and fail to warn, is that love?    How much do we truly love?  Love, genuine love, is unwilling to see danger consume its target without attempting to rescue it from that destruction.

How much do we love God?   Let me offer a test or measure (that will possibly receive an adverse reaction) to reveal our true valuation of God.   If we want to know how much God means in our lives and how important He truly is, examine the place you give His Word.   God means as much or as little to us as His Word means to us!

Jesus said, “If you love me, you WILL keep my commandments (Word).” You WILL!   God’s importance and value to us are equivalent to the importance of His Word.  Superficial relationships produce inconsistent living.   If we ABIDE in Him and His Word ABIDES in us, we live victoriously.

How does the Word ABIDE in us?   By reading, studying, and embracing it!  

• If we do not love the Word of God, how can we love God, who is the Word?  
• If we do not obey the Word, how can we claim to love God?
• If we love others (Which is evidence of loving God), how can we not do everything in our power to warn and reach them with the truth?

Love is demonstrated, not just declared.  Love is a verb (action word), not a noun.   We, the redeemed, have a divine responsibility to the LORD, the wayward believers, and the lost to sound the alarm and endeavor to rescue the endangered and perishing.

How much do we love?  I’ll be contemplating that for days.  It’s a recurring theme as I read and pray each day.  I keep hearing, “How much do you love?”   I keep hearing, “Do you love Me?” Then I hear, “Show Me!”   Heaven is too great a gift to jeopardize it by disobedience or the lack of love.

How Much Do We Love?