How Much Do You Love God?

It's fairly obvious, I hope to most of us..... that the world is in bad shape.

To man, Satan is an avowed enemy who has been jealous of us from our creation. His entire goal, his purpose, is to keep us off of the Path of Righteousness. In Islam, it's called "Sirat Al-Mustaqeem" The Straight Path.

Satan appeals to everybody differently. What he uses to tempt me to slip is not the same as what he uses against you. What is similar, is that always, he appeals to our appetites. This is true and consistent from The Garden.

Satan has no powers other than suggestion. Deception. He can't control us, he can't make us do things, his ability to whisper in our ears, in a voice sounding like our own, has proven to be more than enough for most.

Which brings me to this question?

How much do you, my reader, my friend, truly love God?

It's fairly common to find people who wear their religious beliefs. The popularity of "Jesus is the Homeboy" trucker caps and tees is astounding.
Check your bulletins.... how often do you see the "If you love God and you're not ashamed send this to everybody you know" message?

Rappers with million dollar crosses.

The bottom line is this:
Love of God translates to one thing. Obedience.

God has very clearly given Rules and Laws to man. He has given us Holy Books and Prophets. As people who believe in God, should not our behavior, our thoughts, our intentions, our actions, our diets, our dress, our relationships, our work ethic, and every aspect of our lives be a reflection of this?

Anybody disagree?

So.... the definition of a hypocrite: loosely, somebody who says they believe in one thing, but whose actions indicate somethin' else.

For example:

A so-called vegetarian who eats baby back ribs ("but only on holidays")

A so-called health nut who smokes
A so-called PRO-BLACK PRO-AFRIKA Brotha or Sista who exclusively dates white folks.

You can dig it.

I guess what I am saying is this. I don't think this is new news to anybody. But if you call yourself a man or woman of God, and there are areas where you fall short of how God has clearly dictated for you to live, specifically speaking on sex, drugs and alcohol.... do you ever ask yourself why?

It is a great harm, not only to yourself.... but we are walking commercials for our respective religions. If you fall short, ESPECIALLY on the above mentioned threesome, keep that ish to yourself. Don't brag on your sins. Don't broadcast them. It is harmful to your own soul, and to the cause which you claim to believe in.

The easiest is way to judge a person is not by what he says, but what he does.

You will be judged on your behavior, not your affiliation.