How do I know if I love Jesus?

Lybrah said:

Sometimes I find praying a chore, but I do it every night. I don't always want to go to church. I sometimes force myself to read the bible. But the problem is that I want to grow closer to God. I want to love Jesus, but I am afraid I might not. I try to keep the commandments and accept Him as my saviour, have been baptized and attend bible study and groups. I am worried that there is a block.

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Stop doing all the above for a while. They are distractions if you are in doubt. At this point you are doing "things" rather than being what He wants , you to be. Love Him with all your heart , soul and mind. Agape love is unconditional and not something you do or feel. It is as natural as breathing.
Ask him to fill you today with his Holy Spirit so that you may not ever doubt again.

Be blessed.

You do seem a bit "works" oriented. This means you might be grading your relationship with God based on some of the things you do. Can you find rest in your heart and learn to know that God loves you and that his son took all your sins and sin nature? It is that kind of grace that will help free you to love and do more, knowing that you have a clean conscience and right-standing with God because of what Jesus did for you.
So even as you look at that, are there some things that might move your forward in God? It is certain that God is at the door, desiring a deeper relationship. But how can you proceed? I would consider a topical and practical approach. To me this would consist of trying to learn to know God by examining certain aspects of your Christian walk. It might include a study of how the hear the voice of God, how to conduct spiritual warfare, knowing who you are in Christ and all the things that he has given you authority over. It should include lessons on wisdom, giving, fulfilling the idea that you can win others to Jesus. How to pray more effectively, finding faith, the gifts of the spirit, and how to have a life of praise and worship to him, and others, all are great candidates.
Find too other things that interest you about God, maybe even try to fast to help you connect more spiritually with God. All from a position though that you have arrived and are In Christ, and that you do these and other Christian things not because you feel obligated, but because you want to love God and people more. The good news is that you seem super sincere and recognize your need to be closer.
I don't know this minister but I searched for something that might encourage one to know how to go deeper with God and this woman's scriptures should apply to every seeking God. 12 Bible Verses to Help You Draw Closer to God
Perhaps too you could study some of the great women of God, their lives and what they did? Hopefully you can find someone that can mentor and encourage you or at least someone like minded that will help you move into all that God has for you. Just remember to try and do everything from a position of resting in God. I pray you make some serious advances, that you push through setbacks and really come to know God in a fuller way. God bless!

Did you ask Jesus into your heart, and ask Him to forgive your sins? Then you are a Christian.
The Bible says, if you love me keep my commandments..... so you love Him..... you won't be perfect, no one is, just do your best

John 14:15 states, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments,” emphasizing that true love for Jesus is demonstrated through obedience to His teachings.​

Lybrah said:

Sometimes I find praying a chore, but I do it every night. I don't always want to go to church. I sometimes force myself to read the bible. But the problem is that I want to grow closer to God. I want to love Jesus, but I am afraid I might not. I try to keep the commandments and accept Him as my saviour, have been baptized and attend bible study and groups. I am worried that there is a block.

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you sound healthy to me. Keep on doing what you’re doing. But don’t worry about it. You’re in good hands with God. Phil 1:6 You have your part to do and love is not a feeling but it’s obeying God just like you are doing. You will feel your love for Him sometimes. And you can feel his love sometimes just by opening your heart.❤️
there’s no block. Worry can make it seem real.

It can be confusing because of the different definitions of "love". Half of the popular songs may be considered to be about the emotional sensations that one feels often called love.

The bible has a different definition of love that might be called selflessness;

1Co 13:4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil;
1Co 13:6 rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth;
1Co 13:7 beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Therefore our "love" of Jesus is demonstrated by how we choose to live more than how we feel at any given moment.

2Co 5:15 and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again.

Lybrah said:

Sometimes I find praying a chore, but I do it every night. I don't always want to go to church. I sometimes force myself to read the bible. But the problem is that I want to grow closer to God. I want to love Jesus, but I am afraid I might not. I try to keep the commandments and accept Him as my saviour, have been baptized and attend bible study and groups. I am worried that there is a block.

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Love is not always based on feelings; often it's a choice that is made out of respect and devotion. I've been a believer since 2000 but gave up on church a long time ago. Yes, I got baptized and did the study groups, etc. But the church teachings are shallow and don't instruct the attendees how to think for themselves. I learn more on my own at home. Do I feel guilty? No. Give yourself a break and stop self-imposing so many rules and expectations.

I learn more on my own at home. Do I feel guilty? No.

There is a web site for people who have had bad church experiences or may not even be familiar with Christianity.

Feel free to use whatever may be of interest. The blog archive can be interesting.

Christian Pioneer

Lybrah said:

Sometimes I find praying a chore, but I do it every night. I don't always want to go to church. I sometimes force myself to read the bible. But the problem is that I want to grow closer to God. I want to love Jesus, but I am afraid I might not. I try to keep the commandments and accept Him as my saviour, have been baptized and attend bible study and groups. I am worried that there is a block.

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There's times I don't want to read the Bible. There's books and passages that I just absolutely don't want to read! To give an example, I'm currently in 1 Kings, but I didn't want to read the part about the temple being built.

I haven't gone to church in about 7 years. Maybe you're at a bad church or unhealthy church? The Southern Baptist church I had gone to, I didn't recognize it then but I recognize the bad signs now. They're hung up on money and focus way too much on saving people. They had the nerve to ask the congregation to donate millions (yes, MILLIONS) to their project to save people. Why does this church need a basketball court to tell others about Jesus? They wouldn't even let Singles there have their own Bible study class!

I pray whenever I feel like it, but I do it every single day. Maybe you have the wrong motive for praying? Maybe it's a ritual instead of a request or a connection?

The ultimate proof is our actions. As someone already mentioned, Jesus was clear that if we loved Him, we would obey Him. (John 14:15) And no, I'm not talking about *the entire Bible*, from everything written in the Old Testament as if it's all equal to what Jesus said in the Gospels/Revelation. No, I'm talking about the actual words of Jesus, as found in the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Until we get to the point where we are actually obeying Jesus, we'll never be able to say we love Him. In fact, we'll never be able to say we truly know love. And if we don't have love, are we even truly Christian?

The Christian life is a battle. It is not some bed of roses. We have a great enemy, Satan, who will do all he can to prevent us from doing things that we should, like praying, reading God's word, meeting with other Christians to worship God and to hear His word preached. However, we have a greater Saviour. Peter wrote to Christians:

(1Pe 5:8-10 NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Another good passage to bear in mind is Ephesians :10-18, where Paul writes about the Christian's armour:

(Eph 6:10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
(Eph 6:11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
(Eph 6:12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
(Eph 6:13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(Eph 6:14) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
(Eph 6:15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
(Eph 6:16) above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
(Eph 6:17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
(Eph 6:18) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Note: My ability to access Christian Forums is very intermittent, so if you reply and I don't respond, please don't think I'm ignoring you.