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.

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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We often worry about things that have not happened. You worry you do not love Christ; you worry that you are blocked. Yet you love Christ & you are not blocked. Your worries stem from fears - fears that have been planted by the enemy. Do not entertain these thoughts as these thoughts control your feelings which in turn will control your behaviors. Use your self-awareness as a weapon to reassure yourself, otherwise it will be used against you, to destroy yourself.

John 17:25-26 "O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them."

Love is a day to day thing. You don’t feel like it some days but don’t lose heart. Other days you will feel like it. We learn to read our Bible be cause because we love Jesus and because it good for us. You a read it any time you want. But to keep at it you have to force yourself sometimes and then harvest its fruit. No block there. Just give Him your heart and do the right thing.

but have you heard about being in repentance daily? If you don’t read your Bible for a time- repent and go back to it. No one is perfect, the life takes effort. Prayer is considered labor in the Bible, so you’re ok…

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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Galatians 6:8-10:
8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Do not give up! Pray for a greater, more personal love of Jesus. Ask Him to increase your faith as the disciples themselves did. Contemplate as much as you can the before Jesus times and then His sacrifice and the greatness of God’s love in providing this sacrifice. This may help you better appreciate the difference He made for us.

Just the mere thought of the Most High God as Scripture often refers to Him coming down to this lowly earth and interacting with and teaching lowly, lost human beings may bring a thrill.

Practice love. Giving to the needs of others… Bible says even he who gives a cup of cold water to one who is His disciple will not lose his reward…so all kinds of good deeds are important to grow in love and faith.

I hope you will read some testimonials also. They are inspiring for ideas to express love. And as you put your faith into practice always pray for an increase of love and compassion and commitment to the tasks. Practice hospitality.

I hope your Bible studies will open your spiritual eyes so you know how miraculous the Bible itself is and what a gift it is to mankind. The Gospel of John says Jesus is the Word. We walk by its light… Thy Word is a light for my path says Psalms. Don’t just read what it says, do it says Scripture. Jesus prayed for His disciples in John…Sanctify them by Thy Truth; Thy Word is Truth. So the Scriptures and prayer are paramount to salvation. Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is the Word of God says Romans.

Pray more and pray for the Spirit to help you pray and put God’s Word into practice, praying as you tend to your business. Faith as small as a mustard seed shall grow into a large tree.

God is not willing that any should perish but that all may come to repentance so may the peace of God abide in you!